Saint Francis University
Saint Francis University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Francis University at a Glance
Saint Francis University (SFU) is a private Catholic university in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1847 and conducted under the tradition of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular. The university is situated on 600 acres (243 ha) in the forests and farmland of Loretto.
1847
179 years old
$67M
$67.3 million (2025)
1,562
600 acres
Identity
Is Saint Francis University Worth It?
Saint Francis University offers moderate value at $23,526/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $62,101, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Saint Francis University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #13 of 168 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #6 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #13 | Saint Francis University | 49 | $23,526 | $62,101 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Saint Francis University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 18 in PA.
Best Programs at Saint Francis University
The highest-earning program at Saint Francis University is Accounting and Related Services at $41,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $23,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Saint Francis University earns $41,700, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $23,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $26,383 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,526/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $41,700 | $41,700 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $23,900 | $23,900 | $26,383 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Loretto, PA
- Student Body
- 1,557 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,526
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,101
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000