Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Fort Wayne, Indiana
97.6% Acceptance Rate
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
97.6%Acceptance Rate
3.37Avg GPA
1040Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$45,228Annual Cost
$55,362Grad Salary
42.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
97.6%
Avg GPA
3.37
Avg SAT
1040
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
920–1130
ACT Middle 50%
17–25
Need-Based Aid
42.7% receive Pell
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne is a private, Catholic institution in Indiana that emphasizes the integration of faith, academic excellence, and professional preparation. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their academic record, potential for campus contribution, and alignment with the university's mission. The university seeks well-rounded individuals who are ready to thrive in a small, supportive learning environment where mentorship is prioritized.
Successful applicants should emphasize their participation in community service, athletics, or student leadership roles, as these reflect the university's mission of preparing students for service and leadership. A strong personal statement should discuss how the student's personal and professional goals align with the university's commitment to academic excellence and personal growth. The admissions committee values applicants who show maturity and a clear, thoughtful approach to their future career and academic development within a community-centered environment.
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne is inclusive by design. 97.6% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 97.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.37 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.17 – 3.36
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.92
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
USF reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
USF GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at USF is 3.37. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.07–3.37 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.57–3.77.USF GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.37 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.17 – 3.36
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.97 – 3.16
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.96
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No application fee, personal essay, or letter of recommendation required for first-year admission; test-optional (SAT submitted by 44% of students, ACT by 9%).
- Automatic renewable merit scholarship based on GPA for all admitted traditional undergraduates; a separate Saint Francis Scholarship Competition offers full or partial tuition to high-achieving high school seniors.
- Founded in 1890 with Catholic Franciscan identity; locations beyond the main Fort Wayne campus include Crown Point, Lafayette, and Gas City, Indiana.
- Legacy grant ($500/year, renewable up to four years) for students with a parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin who graduated from USF, alongside a $1,000 renewable grant for new non-Indiana residents starting 2026-27.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at USF
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne (USF) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at USF. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into USF Without SAT or ACT?
USF considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Average SAT Score: 1040
Admitted students at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne average a 1040 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1040 — Accessible
A 1040 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1130 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 920? A retake is worth it at USF. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 505 | 450 | 560 |
| SAT Reading | 520 | 470 | 570 |
| SAT Composite | 1040 | 920 | 1130 |
A score under 920 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1130+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne (USF) with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in USF's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne (USF) ACT Requirements
USF's admitted students average an ACT of 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
An average of 21 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 21 | 15 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 17 | 25 |
Can I get into University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of USF's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, USF weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for USF
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
USF's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Nursing and PTA Use a Point Matrix - Know What Earns Points Before You Apply
Both programs score applicants on a point-based rubric rather than a simple GPA cutoff: PTA applicants need a minimum of 8 points across categories like letters of recommendation (specifically one from a PT/PTA and one from a teacher or healthcare professional), 24+ documented observation hours, an active healthcare certification (CNA, EMT, MA, ATC, etc.), and a proctored in-person written essay. Build these credentials - especially observation hours and a relevant certification - before applying, not after.
The TEAS Can Replace the SAT/ACT for Health Program Applicants
For nursing and other health-science-track applicants, the TEAS (registered through ATI Testing, searching "U of St Francis IN") can substitute for standardized test scores in the general admission file. Students planning to apply directly to nursing should take the TEAS early rather than treating it as an afterthought once already enrolled in a pre-nursing or exploratory healthcare major.
If Considering the PA Program Later, Start Logging Patient-Care Hours as an Undergraduate Now
USF's PA program accepts an unusually broad range of qualifying patient-care experience - including medical scribe, phlebotomist, CNA, EMT, and dental hygienist roles - and the admissions process includes a half-day, on-ground interview in Fort Wayne (scheduled October-January) with a panel interview and critical-thinking assessment. Treat any of these qualifying jobs taken during college as direct application material, not just income.
Submit the Catholic Parish Endorsement Before the End of Your First Semester
USF's renewable Catholic scholarship requires an endorsement from a student's home parish, but it must be turned in to the Office of Admissions before the end of the first semester - after that window, it isn't available for that student's remaining years. Request it from the parish immediately upon enrolling, not whenever convenient.
Expert Insight:
Because general admission to USF requires no essay, no letter of recommendation, and no application fee, it's easy to under-invest in preparation for its most selective in-house programs - nursing and PTA specifically run point-matrix competitive admission with hard documentation requirements (observation hours, certifications, specific recommenders) that take months to assemble and can't be produced quickly right before a decision deadline.
USF Profile
Full Name
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne (USF)
City
Fort Wayne
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
46808-3994
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a USF Degree Worth It?
Whether USF is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $63,800, and graduates see a 2.67% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from USF Cost?
Listed tuition runs $45,228/year at USF. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At USF, 42.7% receive a Pell Grant and 62.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming USF on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a USF Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, USF graduates report a median income of $55,362, about 36% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at USF
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About USF Admissions
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne graduates earn a moderate median salary of $55,362/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne is moderate, around $45,228/year; many students supplement with aid.
42.7% of University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne's acceptance rate is 97.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne students is 3.37, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.07 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.97 or below makes admission tougher at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1040, and within the 920–1130 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026. That's University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.