“Through the Cross to the Light — education rooted in Franciscan values”
The University of St. Francis is a private Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition, founded in 1920 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate and located in Joliet, Illinois — 30 miles southwest of Chicago. Serving approximately 3,300 students, USF offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and certificate programs across the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing, and social work. The crown jewel of the university is the Leach College of Nursing, whose graduates posted a 98% first-attempt NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024, surpassing both the national average of 91% and Illinois average of 87%. This nursing excellence, combined with strong business and health administration programs, makes USF a compelling choice for students interested in healthcare and human services careers in the Chicago metropolitan area. The student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1 ensures close mentorship and individualized attention. Chicago is easily accessible via Metra commuter rail, giving students access to internships, clinical placements, and cultural experiences in one of the world's great cities. The university's Franciscan mission — rooted in service, respect for human dignity, and care for the whole person — is woven into academics, student life, and community engagement. With 10-year median graduate earnings of $63,926 and a strong regional reputation, USF offers meaningful career preparation in a values-driven environment.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceThe deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$38,900 – $52,500
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Flagship program with a 98% NCLEX-RN pass rate. Offers Traditional BSN, BSN Completion, concurrent programs with community colleges, MSN specializations (FNP, Nursing Education, Administration, Psychiatric-Mental Health), and DNP.
Business and healthcare management programs with a Chicago-metro focus, preparing students for leadership in healthcare organizations, corporate environments, and non-profits.
Liberal arts foundation programs in biology, chemistry, psychology, communication, and radiologic technology supporting direct careers and pre-professional pathways.
Initial licensure and advanced programs in education, special education, curriculum and instruction, and counseling, with strong Illinois teacher placement outcomes.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $38,110
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
