Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, Ohio · Private Nonprofit · 58.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 46/100 · Below Average Value
Franciscan University of Steubenville scores 46 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale, a figure shaped by a difficult combination of modest earnings and meaningful debt loads. Median 6-year earnings sit at $34,800 -- just 15.9% above a no-college benchmark -- while median debt reaches $23,384, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.672 and a payback period of 15.6 years. The 4-year total cost is $94,356, close to that of elite private universities, but the earnings outcomes do not support that cost for most programs. The 75.5% completion rate is above average for a school in this tier, and the 84.8% repayment rate signals that most graduates do eventually manage their debt -- but that does not make the initial borrowing burden less real. The standout programs by ROI are concentrated in health and quantitative fields: Registered Nursing (40 graduates, $66,507 year-one, $68,809 year-four, B-grade ROI) and Mathematics (12 graduates, $72,194 year-four, B+ grade) both outperform the institutional average significantly. Accounting and Finance programs show $75,362 and $72,426 at year four respectively, though graduate volumes are small. The school's identity as a Catholic institution draws students for mission-oriented reasons that fall outside Scorecard metrics, but prospective students in lower-ROI majors such as Theology, Philosophy, Religious Education, or Social Work should enter with clear eyes about the financial tradeoffs involved.
The data raises concerns about Franciscan University of Steubenville
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- Payback period15.6 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $34,100/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $34,100/yr |
| Average net price | $23,589/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $94,356 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,030 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,384 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $248 |
| Estimated payback period | 15.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 75.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,901 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Franciscan University of Steubenville is $34,100/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,589/year, or roughly $94,356 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $19,696/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,675/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,384 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $248 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $50,030 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.67 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,696 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,616 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,288 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,744 |
| $110,001+ | $25,675 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families in the 0-30000 income bracket pay $19,696 net price per year at Franciscan, producing a 4-year total close to $79,000 against median 6-year earnings of $34,800. That math is difficult: the payback period of 15.6 years was calculated on the institutional median debt load, and low-income students who borrow the maximum will face an even longer horizon. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $18,616 -- slightly less -- but the underlying earnings challenge does not change. Low-income students admitted here should carefully evaluate whether their intended major's earnings trajectory can support the debt they will carry.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families in the 48001-75000 bracket pay $20,288 net price per year, close to the full institutional average of $23,589. The 75001-110000 bracket pays $20,744 -- essentially the same -- suggesting the aid formula does not meaningfully differentiate across this range. Four-year net cost for middle-income students runs approximately $81,000-$83,000. Against median earnings of $34,800 at six years, that is a significant burden unless the student is in Nursing, Accounting, or Mathematics. Middle-income students in mission-driven programs should plan debt management strategies before enrolling.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $25,675 net price per year at Franciscan, the highest bracket in the schedule. The 4-year commitment is roughly $103,000 out-of-pocket. For students in nursing or business programs where four-year earnings approach $66,000-$75,000, the financial case is manageable. For students in ministry, education, or humanities programs, the full-pay commitment against lower earnings outcomes is harder to justify on financial grounds alone. High-income families choosing Franciscan are typically doing so for mission alignment rather than financial optimization.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Franciscan University of Steubenville with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | $39,091 | D |
| Psychology | $35,793 | D |
| Philosophy | $31,906 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $68,809 | B |
| Teacher Education | $42,987 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $66,879 | D |
| Marketing | $56,937 | C |
| Religious Education | $40,987 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $38,761 | D |
| Biology | $62,048 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Franciscan's highest-volume program with defensible ROI: 40 graduates, $66,507 median year-one earnings, $68,809 at year four, with a B-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.406. Median debt is $27,000. Nursing offers the clearest career-entry pathway of any program at this institution -- graduates enter a labor market with reliable demand and stable wages. The year-one to year-four earnings trajectory is flat relative to other fields, which reflects the structured pay scales of bedside nursing, but the starting wage relative to debt is the strongest financial case on campus.
Mathematics
Mathematics shows $72,194 median year-four earnings and a B+ ROI grade with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.284 -- the best ratio on campus. Median debt is $20,500, lower than most other programs here. Volume is small at 12 graduates, so data reliability is limited, but the pattern aligns with national outcomes for quantitative graduates entering actuarial, analytics, and finance roles. Mathematics students willing to pursue graduate programs or technical certification will likely see the four-year figure as a floor rather than a ceiling.
Accounting
Accounting shows $75,362 at year four -- the highest four-year earnings figure on campus -- with only 16 graduates in the data. Year-one earnings are not reported, limiting payback analysis, and the debt-to-earnings ratio is not available. The four-year figure is consistent with regional accounting placement into public accounting, corporate finance, and government roles. For students choosing between business programs at Franciscan, Accounting's four-year outcome leads the field, though the small cohort warrants caution in generalizing.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance shows $72,426 at year four across 13 graduates, the second-highest four-year figure at the institution. Year-one data is not reported. Finance and Accounting together represent Franciscan's strongest business ROI credentials, though both operate with small cohort volumes. Students targeting corporate finance, banking, or financial analysis roles at regional employers in the Ohio Valley and surrounding markets represent the most natural fit for this program.
Theological and Ministerial Studies
Theological and Ministerial Studies is the largest program at Franciscan with 104 graduates -- more than double any other. Year-one earnings are $29,656 and year-four earnings are $39,091, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.843 (D-grade ROI) and median debt of $25,000. The financial picture is genuinely challenging: graduates carry significant debt against earnings that reflect ministry compensation scales. Students entering this program should understand the financial profile clearly and consider whether income-driven repayment or employer-based loan forgiveness programs apply to their career path.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 84.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 83.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 58.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 520-650 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 590-700 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-29 |
| Enrollment | 2,901 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 23.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,622 |
At 58.4%, Franciscan's admission rate places it in the moderately selective range -- the majority of applicants are accepted. SAT Math 520-650 and Reading 590-700 describe the middle half of admitted students; ACT composite 22-29 is the equivalent range. Students with strong faith alignment and reasonable academic preparation are competitive. The net price of $23,589 is consistent across income bands, ranging from $18,616 (the 30001-48000 bracket) to $25,675 (110001+), suggesting limited income-based aid differentiation.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Franciscan's Scorecard peer schools include Bob Jones University, Florida Southern College, Allegheny Wesleyan College, Art Academy of Cincinnati, and UTA Mesivta of Kiryas Joel -- a mix of religious and specialized institutions that does not map neatly onto Franciscan's competitive peer set in the market. Among the listed peers, Bob Jones University has a similar faith-mission orientation and comparable cost profile. Florida Southern College is a more traditional liberal arts comparison. Franciscan's ROI score of 46 (Below Average Value) sits below most regional private universities, driven primarily by earnings outcomes relative to cost rather than by completion rate or repayment metrics, which are more respectable at 75.5% and 84.8% respectively.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franciscan University of Steubenville (this school) | 46 | $23,589 | $50,030 |
| Bob Jones University | 47 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| Florida Southern College | 46 | $28,551 | $55,294 |
| Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel | 39 | $4,156 | $31,853 |
| Allegheny Wesleyan College | 29 | $5,355 | $37,453 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | 9 | $34,253 | $34,368 |
Who Thrives Here
Franciscan University admits 58.4% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 520-650 Math and 590-700 Reading; ACT composite 22-29. Enrollment stands at 2,901 undergraduates. Pell grant rate of 23% reflects a modest presence of low-income students. The school is defined by its Catholic, Franciscan identity -- students who enroll typically do so for faith-centered formation, community, and mission rather than primarily for career outcomes. Students weighing vocational ministry, religious education, or social work should treat this as a mission fit decision and plan accordingly for the financial picture those majors produce.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Franciscan University of Steubenville is mixed. At $23,589 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $50,030 ten years after entry - a payback period of 15.6 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include a 75.4% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $23,384 against $50,030 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.