University of St Francis
University of St Francis — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of St Francis at a Glance
The University of St. Francis (USF) is a private Franciscan university with its main campus in Joliet, Illinois. It enrolls nearly 3,200 students at locations throughout the country with about 1,300 students at its main campus.
1920
106 years old
$27M
$26.6 million (2022)
2,912
1,226 undergrad · 1,686 grad
80
22 acres
Identity
Is University of St Francis Worth It?
University of St Francis is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $13,006/year net price and $63,926 median earnings, graduates earn 4.9× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: University of St Francis delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of St Francis compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 101 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #3 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #4 | Wabash College | 55 | $24,336 | $69,952 |
| #5 | The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 54 | $18,378 | $68,303 |
| #6 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of St Francis's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in IL.
Best Programs at University of St Francis
The highest-earning program at University of St Francis is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $65,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $32,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of St Francis earns $65,500, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $32,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,500 in median debt vs. $25,020 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,006/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,500 | $65,500 | $27,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $60,500 | $60,500 | $21,587 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $56,200 | $56,200 | $22,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,200 | $32,200 | $25,020 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Joliet, IL
- Student Body
- 1,223 students
- Admission Rate
- 65%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,006
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,926
- Median Student Debt
- $21,079