# Saint Francis University

> four-year, coeducational Catholic liberal arts university in Loretto, Pennsylvania

**Wikidata**: [Q7401271](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7401271)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Francis_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-francis-university

## Summary
Saint Francis University is a private, non-profit Catholic liberal arts university founded in 1847 in Loretto, Pennsylvania. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines like business, health sciences, and the arts, emphasizing Franciscan values. As of 2020, it enrolled 2,769 students and had an endowment of $60 million.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1847 by the Franciscan Friars.
- Located in Loretto, Pennsylvania, with coordinates 40.5061° N, 78.6399° W.
- Private, non-profit institution affiliated with the Catholic Church.
- 2020 student enrollment: 2,769 (full-time equivalent: 1,948 in 2021).
- 2022 endowment: $60,083,901 (up from $50,048,590 in 2020).
- Admission rate: 59% (2020); yield rate: 29% (2020).
- Member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the American Council on Education.
- Athletics team: Saint Francis Red Flash (NCAA Division I).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Saint Francis University founded?
A: Saint Francis University was founded in 1847 by the Franciscan Friars, making it one of the oldest Catholic universities in the United States.

### Q: What type of institution is Saint Francis University?
A: It is a private, non-profit liberal arts university with a focus on undergraduate education and select graduate programs, rooted in Catholic Franciscan traditions.

### Q: How many students attend Saint Francis University?
A: As of 2020, the university had 2,769 students, with 1,948 full-time equivalents reported in 2021.

## Why It Matters
Saint Francis University plays a significant role in higher education as a historic Catholic institution dedicated to academic excellence and community service. Founded during the 19th-century wave of Catholic immigration to the U.S., it has evolved to address modern educational needs while maintaining its Franciscan mission. The university contributes to regional development in Pennsylvania through workforce preparation in fields like healthcare, business, and engineering. Its small class sizes (12:1 student-faculty ratio) and emphasis on ethical leadership provide students with focused, values-driven training. As a NCAA Division I member, its athletics program also enhances its regional and national visibility.

## Notable For
- Oldest Franciscan university in the United States (founded 1847).
- NCAA Division I athletics (Saint Francis Red Flash).
- Strong programs in health sciences, including nursing and physical therapy.
- Designated as a "High Research Activity" institution by the Carnegie Classification.
- Ranked among "Best Regional Universities" by *U.S. News & World Report*.

## Body
### History
- Established in 1847 by Saint Mother Thérèse Maxis and Father Francis Xavier Gartmann.
- Originally named Saint Francis College; transitioned to university status in 1979.
- First institution in Pennsylvania to offer a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering (1972).

### Academics
- **Academic Calendar**: Semester-based.
- **Top Majors**: Business, health professions, visual/performing arts, and biological sciences.
- **Student-Faculty Ratio**: 12:1 (2020).
- **Accreditation**: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

### Athletics
- Competes in NCAA Division I (Northeast Conference).
- Notable teams: football, basketball, and soccer.
- Mascot: "Flash" (Red Flash).

### Demographics
- **Location**: Rural campus in Loretto, PA (15940 ZIP code).
- **Religious Affiliation**: 25% of students identify as Catholic (2020).
- **Diversity**: 85% white, 6% Black, 4% Hispanic (2020).

### Finances
- **2020 Total Assets**: $135,941,955.
- **Tuition (2020)**: $34,000 (undergraduate).
- **Endowment Growth**: 20% increase from 2020 to 2022 ($50M to $60M).

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120073011/https://secure.aacu.org/iMIS/AACUR/Membership/MemberListAACU.aspx)
5. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120080233/https://acememberdirectory.azurewebsites.net/)
6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240202185017/https://open.umn.edu/oen/members)
7. Google Knowledge Graph
8. Freebase Data Dumps
9. [Source](http://francis.edu/)
10. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
11. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). National Association of College and University Business Officers. 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
12. GRID Release 2015-12-14
13. GRID Release 2016-12-06
14. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
15. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
16. [Source](https://www.francis.edu/)
17. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
18. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
19. National Center for Education Statistics