Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Steubenville, Ohio
72.2% Acceptance Rate
Franciscan University of Steubenville — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
72.2%Acceptance Rate
3.78Avg GPA
1218Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$42,955Annual Cost
$50,030Grad Salary
21%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
72.2%
Avg GPA
3.78
Avg SAT
1218
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1100–1290
ACT Middle 50%
23–29
Need-Based Aid
21% receive Pell
Franciscan University of Steubenville, established in 1946 in Steubenville, Ohio, is a private Catholic university ranked #26 in Regional Universities Midwest by U.S. News. Renowned for its theology, nursing, and humanities programs, Franciscan integrates faith and learning through its vibrant campus ministry. The 236-acre hillside campus includes the St. John Paul II Library and the Finnegan Fieldhouse.
Franciscan's study-abroad program in Austria and strong pro-life advocacy reflect its Catholic identity. The university's location near Pittsburgh offers internships in healthcare and education. Franciscan also emphasizes community life, with daily Mass, household groups, and NCAA Division III athletics fostering a tight-knit environment.
Franciscan University of Steubenville Acceptance Rate
At 72.2%, admission to Franciscan University of Steubenville is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Franciscan Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 72.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.78 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.58 – 3.77
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.33
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Franciscan University of Steubenville Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Franciscan University of Steubenville is December 1 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 122 days left — Early Action
Early Action
December 1
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 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.
Franciscan GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Franciscan is 3.78. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.48 and 3.78? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.98–4.18.Franciscan GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.78 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.58 – 3.77
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.38 – 3.57
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.37
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- 3.2+ GPA applicants may submit a 1-page essay instead of SAT/ACT/CLT scores; below 3.2 requires test scores.
- Distinctive "household system": faith-based small living communities woven into campus life.
- Unmarried undergrads under 21 required to live on campus unless with family; housing guaranteed 4 years.
- Franciscan FastTrack lets local high schoolers take college courses on campus or online.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 Franciscan
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Franciscan University of Steubenville's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Franciscan University of Steubenville (Franciscan) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Franciscan is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Franciscan Without SAT or ACT?
Franciscan considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Franciscan University of Steubenville Average SAT Score: 1218
The average SAT score of admitted students at Franciscan University of Steubenville is 1218 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1218 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1290 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Franciscan University of Steubenville allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1100, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Franciscan. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 580 | 530 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 615 | 570 | 660 |
| SAT Composite | 1218 | 1100 | 1290 |
Below 1100, you're behind most admitted students; at 1290 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Franciscan University of Steubenville (Franciscan) with a 1300 SAT?
A 1300 SAT puts you ahead of most of Franciscan's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Franciscan University of Steubenville (Franciscan) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Franciscan is 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT English | 27 | 23 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 23 | 29 |
Can I get into Franciscan University of Steubenville with a 29 ACT?
A 29 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Franciscan's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Franciscan.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Franciscan
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Franciscan isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Choose the test-or-essay path deliberately
If your cumulative weighted GPA is 3.2+, you can submit a one-page, double-spaced personal essay instead of SAT/ACT/CLT scores. If your GPA is below 3.2, you must submit test scores - there's no essay substitution available at that point, so check your GPA against this threshold before deciding your path.
Write the essay as a real faith-and-intellect reflection, not a generic personal statement
The essay prompt specifically asks for a story showing how your faith and intellectual growth have shaped each other. A generic "why I love learning" essay misses the actual prompt; anchor your response in a real moment where faith and academic work intersected.
Plan for mandatory household-based campus living
Unmarried undergrads under 21 must live on campus unless living with family, and housing (including the university's distinctive "household system" of faith-based small communities) is guaranteed all four years. If communal, faith-integrated living isn't something you want, be honest with yourself about fit before applying, since it's a structural, not optional, part of the experience.
Use FastTrack if you're a local high schooler wanting a head start
Franciscan FastTrack lets area high schoolers take up to two courses per semester on campus or online (plus two more spread over summer), free of the full admissions process. If you're nearby and want to test-drive the university before applying, this is a lower-commitment way in.
Expert Insight:
Some students report frustration that Franciscan doesn't accept a general college essay for GPA-qualified applicants outside the specific test-or-essay substitution - read the current policy carefully so you're not caught assuming test scores are always optional.
Franciscan Profile
Full Name
Franciscan University of Steubenville (Franciscan)
City
Steubenville
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
43952-1763
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Franciscan Degree Worth It?
Franciscan offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $66,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.08%.
How much does a degree from Franciscan Cost?
The sticker price is $42,955/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
21% of students receive a Pell Grant and 48% take federal loans at Franciscan — file your FAFSA early and list Franciscan as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Franciscan Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $50,030 — about 23% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Franciscan University of Steubenville. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Franciscan University of Steubenville. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Franciscan University of Steubenville. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at Franciscan
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Franciscan Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Franciscan University of Steubenville run about $50,030 a year.
Franciscan University of Steubenville costs roughly $42,955 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
Franciscan University of Steubenville's Pell Grant rate of 21.0% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 72.2%, Franciscan University of Steubenville's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Franciscan University of Steubenville average a 3.78 GPA.
Franciscan University of Steubenville doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.48 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.38, Franciscan University of Steubenville becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Franciscan University of Steubenville — aim above 1218, ideally within the 1100–1290 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Franciscan University of Steubenville is December 1 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 20.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.