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66.7%Acceptance
$32,630Tuition
2,775Students
77%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$50,030Earnings
Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Roman Catholic

About Franciscan University of Steubenville

Franciscan University attracts students seeking an authentically Catholic education rooted in traditional teaching and active campus ministry. The university enrolls 2,775 students in the small city of Steubenville, where theology and philosophy programs anchor a curriculum designed to integrate faith with learning. Students come from across the country, with only 19% from Ohio, drawn by the university's reputation for orthodox Catholic identity and strong spiritual formation programs.

The financial picture tells a mixed story for families considering this Catholic education. Students pay an average net price of $23,987 after aid, less than the sticker price of $43,370. However, graduates earn a median of $50,030 ten years after graduation, creating a challenging debt-to-income ratio with typical debt loads of $23,384. Monthly loan payments average $248, which represents a substantial portion of early career earnings.

The campus culture revolves around Catholic traditions and community life. With 87.9% of students returning for sophomore year and a 77% six-year graduation rate, most students find their fit in this faith-centered environment. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio allows for meaningful mentorship relationships that extend beyond academics into spiritual development.

Academics & Faculty

Franciscan University centers its academics around Catholic theology and philosophy, drawing students who want faith deeply integrated into their education. The theology program ranks among the most traditional and rigorous Catholic programs in the country. With a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know students personally and serve as mentors in both academic and spiritual development. The 77% six-year graduation rate reflects the close-knit community that supports students through challenges. Liberal arts majors benefit from the university's emphasis on classical texts and moral reasoning. Business and education programs also attract students seeking careers aligned with Catholic social teaching. Campus ministry and liturgical music programs produce leaders for parishes nationwide.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
19:1
Full-Time Faculty
100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
76.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
77.1%
Retention Rate
87.9%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$50,030
Carnegie Classification
Master's University (Medium)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Bachelor $57,544
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Master $54,713
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Bachelor $42,682
Theological and Ministerial Studies. Master $41,992
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. Master $37,208
Communication and Media Studies. Bachelor $33,993
Religious Education. Bachelor $33,637
Education, General. Master $33,281
Theological and Ministerial Studies. Bachelor $31,133
Psychology, General. Bachelor $30,771

View all 51 programs →

Campus Life

Students wake up to Ohio River Valley winters that demand heavy coats and boots for navigating the hilly campus. The housing capacity of 1,873 beds means about two-thirds of the 2,775 students live on campus in a tight-knit community. Pittsburgh sits just 40 miles north, but most weekend activities happen right in Steubenville.

Campus life revolves around the strong Catholic identity that defines this university. Students gather for daily Mass, participate in household systems that create family-like living groups, and attend praise and worship sessions that pack the chapel. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio allows professors to know students personally, especially in the well-known theology and philosophy programs. Weekend retreats to the nearby Franciscan monastery are common, along with service trips and campus-wide events like the annual winter formal. The small-town setting means students create their own entertainment, from intramural sports among the 401 student-athletes to late-night discussions about faith and philosophy in residence hall lounges.
Setting
City-Small
Housing Capacity
1,873 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available
Founded
1946

Campus Safety (2023)

7 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Arson 1 1 0 0
Stalking 2 0 0 0
Burglary 1 0 0 0
Dating Violence 1 0 0 0
Rape 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
19°–36°F
July Avg
62°–82°F
Annual Precipitation
43.2"
Annual Snowfall
15.2"

Student Demographics

Franciscan draws devout Catholic students from across the country, with over 80% coming from outside Ohio. The student body skews slightly female, reflecting the university's strong theology and humanities programs that often attract more women. While the campus is predominantly white, the school serves a economically diverse population with one in five students receiving Pell Grants. Students typically arrive seeking a traditional Catholic education rooted in orthodox teaching. The community bonds over shared faith commitments and the university's emphasis on campus ministry and spiritual formation.
Men
44.2%
Women
55.8%
White
73.9%
Black
1.2%
Hispanic
16.6%
Asian
2.7%
In-State Students
19.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
21.0%

Location

Steubenville sits along the Ohio River in eastern Ohio, about 40 miles west of Pittsburgh. The city has around 18,000 residents and serves as a small industrial center in the Ohio Valley. Just 19% of Franciscan's students come from Ohio, with most traveling from across the country for the university's distinctive Catholic mission. The campus overlooks the river valley from a hilltop setting that creates a close-knit community feel. The area offers outdoor recreation along the river and nearby state parks, while Pittsburgh provides access to major city amenities within an hour's drive. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare Franciscan University of Steubenville with similar schools in the region.
Address
Steubenville, Ohio 43952-1763
Franciscan University of Steubenville Campus Panorama
Franciscan University of Steubenville Campus Panorama
FUS Chapel and Statue
FUS Chapel and Statue

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$50,030
Median Earnings (5 years)
$49,632
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$34,800
Loan Repayment Rate
75.6%
Monthly Loan Payment
$248/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,384

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Franciscan University of Steubenville?

Franciscan University accepts 66.65% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1100 and 1320 on the SAT, reflecting the university's commitment to both academic standards and Catholic formation.

How much does Franciscan University of Steubenville cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $23,987 after aid, less than the full cost of attendance of $43,370. Only 21% of students receive federal Pell Grants, indicating the university primarily serves middle and upper-middle class Catholic families.

What academic programs is Franciscan University of Steubenville known for?

The university is well-known for its strong Catholic identity and theology programs that emphasize traditional Catholic teaching. With a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personal attention while engaging deeply with the university's distinctive approach to faith-based education.

What career outcomes do Franciscan University of Steubenville graduates achieve?

Graduates earn a median salary of $50,030 ten years after graduation, with a strong 93.1% employment rate. The university's 77% six-year graduation rate reflects its success in helping students complete their degrees within a supportive Catholic community.

Where do students live at Franciscan University of Steubenville?

The campus houses 1,873 students in residence halls that foster the university's close-knit Catholic community. With 2,775 total enrollment and most students coming from out-of-state (81%), the residential experience is central to campus life and spiritual formation.

How strong is campus ministry at Franciscan University of Steubenville?

Campus ministry is the heartbeat of university life, with the school's Roman Catholic affiliation founded in 1946 shaping every aspect of the student experience. The emphasis on traditional Catholic teaching and spiritual formation attracts students seeking a deeply religious college environment alongside their academic pursuits.