Saint Francis University
Loretto, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 76.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 70/100 · Fair Value
Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, scores 70 (Fair Value) - one of the stronger results among small private nonprofits in our database. The cost story is what drives the gap: $44,000 tuition sticker discounts down to a $23,526 net price (a 46% institutional discount). With $27,000 median federal debt and ten-year median earnings of $62,101, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.552 produces an 8.6-year payback period - genuinely competitive with strong publics. Completion rate of 74.4% is excellent for a small Catholic liberal arts school, and the repayment rate of 83.8% indicates graduates are reliably paying down principal. The school's professional-program heavy mix - PA studies, nursing, OT/PT - drives most of the earnings story. 1,557 students keeps the campus intimate. With just 17.7% Pell rate, the student body skews middle and upper-middle income, and the institutional financial aid is meaningful for everyone who enrolls. As of 2024-2025 Scorecard data, Saint Francis represents a defensible value for healthcare-focused students despite the headline sticker price.
Saint Francis University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $44,000/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $44,000/yr |
| Average net price | $23,526/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $94,104 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,101 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $48,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 74.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,557 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Saint Francis University is $44,000/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,526/year, or roughly $94,104 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $21,906/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,945/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $62,101 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.55 - 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 | $21,906 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,995 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,677 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,717 |
| $110,001+ | $22,945 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30K pay $21,906 net per year, and the $30K-$48K band actually pays slightly less at $19,995 - a mild inverted bracket reflecting how need-based aid stacks. Low-income students still face roughly $80K-$88K four-year out-of-pocket cost, which only works if the student lands in a high-earning allied-health major.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48K-$75K band pays $22,677 and the $75K-$110K band jumps sharply to $28,717. Middle-income families face $91K-$115K in four-year out-of-pocket cost. The math works for PA, PT, OT, and nursing graduates; it's tighter for business and behavioral-science majors where earnings hit closer to $45K-$60K.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110K pay $22,945 net per year - notably less than the $75K-$110K band's $28,717. This inversion likely reflects merit aid stacking at higher income levels where need-based aid disappears. High-income families face roughly $92K four-year cost, comparable to middle-income; for healthcare-bound students this works.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Saint Francis University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $72,821 | B |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $115,813 | B+ |
| Registered Nursing | $81,510 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $61,535 | C |
| Accounting | $70,937 | C |
| Biology | $25,411 | F |
| Marketing | $59,631 | - |
| Behavioral Sciences | $47,316 | F |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $68,578 | - |
| Psychology | $66,010 | B |
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.
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment
Allied Health is Saint Francis's flagship program: 42 graduates with $115,813 four-year earnings, $29,750 debt, and a 0.257 D/E ratio earning a B+ grade. This pipeline (likely PA studies and similar physician-extender paths) anchors the school's entire ROI case. Six-figure earnings within four years at modest debt levels make this one of the best private-school value plays in our database.
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Rehab/Therapeutic Professions produces 48 graduates with $72,821 four-year earnings, $29,750 debt, and a 0.409 D/E ratio (B grade). Saint Francis's PT/OT programs feed Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic healthcare systems with reliable demand. Solid, regulated-license earnings make this another high-confidence path.
Registered Nursing
Nursing yields $72,930 first-year earnings on $30,579 debt for a 0.419 D/E ratio (B grade). 38 graduates per year feed Western Pennsylvania and broader Mid-Atlantic hospital systems. Like all nursing programs, the regulated license and supply-constrained labor market create predictable strong ROI.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Admin enrolls 27 graduates with $42,706 first-year earnings, $27,043 debt, and a 0.633 D/E ratio (C grade). Solid middle-of-the-road outcomes. Less compelling than the allied-health pipeline but workable for students committed to general business credentials at a Catholic institution.
Biology
Biology produces 20 graduates with $25,411 first-year earnings, $27,000 debt, and a 1.063 D/E ratio (F grade). The pre-med problem in a small-private context: students earning $25K at year one need to be on a clear medical or PA-school track. Students who exit at the bachelor's face severe payment stress against this debt load.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 80.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 79.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 83.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 76.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 520-610 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 530-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 21-27 |
| Enrollment | 1,557 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 17.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,645 |
Saint Francis admits 76.8% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 520-610 math and 530-620 reading, and an ACT band of 21-27. Moderately selective: prepared B-average students will get in, and the school clearly screens for academic preparation strong enough to support the demanding allied-health programs. The 74.4% completion rate is consistent with this admit profile - students who matriculate are well-matched to the program rigor and finish at a high rate.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among named peers, Saint Francis's 70 ROI is solidly mid-pack among small Catholic and Christian liberal arts schools. Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland posts similar numbers driven by a comparable allied-health and business mix. John Brown University and Westmont College score in the same range with stronger evangelical-Christian draws but weaker professional-program scale. Albright College posts a lower ROI with a similar mission. Bryn Athyn College has lower outcomes overall. The peer comparison shows Saint Francis's allied-health programs are the differentiator - it outperforms peer-set faith-based schools without that healthcare focus.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Francis University (this school) | 70 | $23,526 | $62,101 |
| Mount St. Mary's University | 68 | $22,655 | $64,072 |
| Westmont College | 65 | $29,053 | $64,778 |
| John Brown University | 64 | $20,397 | $53,907 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
Saint Francis fits middle-income Pennsylvanians targeting healthcare careers, particularly physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing. With 17.7% Pell rate and 1,557 students, the school is small, tight-knit, and majority middle-to-upper-middle income. Strong fit for academically prepared students drawn to the Catholic Franciscan identity and to direct-admit healthcare graduate programs. Weak fit for students seeking strong CS, engineering, or research-track liberal arts - the program menu is professionally focused.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Saint Francis University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $23,526 per year leads to $94,104 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $62,101 a decade out. The payback period of 8.6 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: a 74.4% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $27,000 against $62,101 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.