Admit rate has ranged 67%–77% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Franciscan University of Steubenville is a fiercely Catholic liberal arts school where theology majors outnumber engineers 10-to-1, daily Mass is packed, and students debate Aquinas over cafeteria trays. With a 58% acceptance rate and a 75% graduation rate, it attracts devout undergrads who want rigorous academics wrapped in sacramental life—think study abroad in Austria paired with Eucharistic adoration.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,901
In-state tuition
$34,100
Out-of-state tuition
$34,100
Top Majors
Theology, Psychology, Nursing
Acceptance Rate
58%
Graduation Rate
75%
Daily Mass Attendance
~70%
Student-Faculty Ratio
15:1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$50,030
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.1×
Median debt at graduation
$23,384
Graduation rate
75%
First-year retention
87%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
76%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
11%
Endowment / student
$31,483
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$57,544
Business Administration, Management and Operations$42,682
Communication and Media Studies$33,993
Religious Education$33,637
Theological and Ministerial Studies$31,133
Psychology, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.69
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
96
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
27°F
Annual rain
45.4"
Annual snow
21.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
75
Scholarly works
1,103
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.6%
Bottom → top quintile
17%
From bottom quintile
4%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Franciscan University of Steubenville?
Franciscan University of Steubenville's acceptance rate is approximately 58% (Steubenville, OH), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Franciscan University of Steubenville?
Admitted students at Franciscan University of Steubenville typically score 1110–1350 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Franciscan University of Steubenville cost?
At Franciscan University of Steubenville, the average net price (after aid) is about $23,589 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Franciscan University of Steubenville?
Franciscan University of Steubenville enrolls approximately 2,901 undergraduate students.
Where is Franciscan University of Steubenville located?
Franciscan University of Steubenville is located in Steubenville, OH.
Admissions
Getting into Franciscan isn't quite as selective as Notre Dame (58% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. vs. ND's ~15%), but it's no cakewalk either. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1110-1350 on the SAT or 22-27 on the ACT, with 64% arriving with GPAs of 3.75 or higher. Notably, the university explicitly states minimum test score benchmarks: 1000 SAT (EBRW + Math only), 21 ACT composite, or 68 CLT score. About 1,732 of 2,968 applicants made the cut in 2024—making it more accessible than elite Catholic peers but still 'moderately difficult' per CollegeData.
Theology isn't just a department here—it's the beating heart of the curriculum, ranking as the #1 most popular major (followed by psychology and nursing). The university offers 40+ majors, including quirky Catholic-centric programs like catechetics and a human life studies minor. STEM isn't neglected though: their engineering program boasts faculty from 'prestigious universities,' and biology/chemistry offer both BA and BS tracks. Small classes are the norm (15:1 student-faculty ratio), with course catalogs reading like a medieval scholastic's dream (see: 'Chesterton Society' and 'Classics Society' clubs).
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$30,771
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$29,685
English Language and Literature, General$28,960
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Imagine a campus where 70% of students attend daily Mass, 'Theology on Tap' draws crowds, and the 'Filipinos for Christ' club shares table space with the Chess Club. This isn't your typical party school—Reddit threads describe a culture of 'healthy connections' forged through adoration chapels and swing dancing events. Fraternities/sororities existed historically (per the university archives), but today's social life revolves around ministries like 'Household' faith groups. The vibe? A mix of monastic seriousness (think Aquinas reading groups) and wholesome fun (see: 'Cooking Up the Culture' club).
Franciscan punches above its weight in graduation rates (75% vs. the 59% national midpoint for 4-year schools) and first-year retention (89%). Alumni earn median salaries of $42,037 six years out—comparable to public flagships, though theology grads likely skew lower. Debt loads are manageable ($23,384 median), with 68% finishing in four years (a 'top 15%' pace per Research.com). The takeaway? Students here persist through graduation at unusual rates, even if they're not all bound for Wall Street.
Sticker price hits $46,700, but the average student pays $24,490 after aid—with 55% receiving financial assistance. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests typical aid packages slash costs significantly, though exact figures depend on FAFSA submissions. Compared to national averages, it's pricier than public options but cheaper than elite Catholic peers (think: $10k less than Boston College). Pro tip: Their financial aid page pushes merit scholarships hard, hinting at negotiability for strong applicants.
This is where Catholicism isn't just a tradition—it's the curriculum. While other schools have chaplaincies, Franciscan integrates faith into everything: engineering majors take theology requirements, dorm Masses outnumber keggers, and 'Theology of the Body' is a hot course. The result? A uniquely intense spiritual-academic hybrid that either feels like heaven (for trad Catholics) or a bit much (for everyone else). With Austria study abroad semesters at a 14th-century monastery, it's arguably America's most immersive Catholic undergrad experience.
Franciscan University of Steubenville logo · sourceFranciscan University - Our Campus (Map) · sourceHeavenly View of Our Beautiful Hilltop Campus | Franciscan University of Steubenville · sourceUniversity Starts Largest Fundraising Effort in School's History · source
