University of St. Francis
Joliet, Illinois
The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, IL, is a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts. As a welcoming community of learners who are challenged by Franciscan values, everyone at USF is mindful of the compassionate, peacemaking tradition that encourages the pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice. USF strives for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.
Get to know University of St. Francis
College Highlights
USF students are engaged and active in their campus community. Whether they are freshmen or or seniors, residents or commuters, all USF Saints have countless opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
“USF students become very close. Everyone gets to know each other. Being at USF has enabled me to understand my purpose in life.” – Jessica Nayder, nursing student
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Various clubs and organizations, including USF’s nationally competitive Mock Trial team, provide students with ways to pursue their passions and interests, all while preparing them for real-world, professional responsibilities.
HONORS PROGRAM
Duns Scotus, USF’s honors society, challenges students to excel academically and exhibit the Franciscan tradition. Students in the program even receive annual scholarships and housing discounts.
STUDY ABROAD
Semester-long study abroad courses are offered in England, France, Italy, and Spain. Additionally, annual service trips are offered for students to travel within the United States as well as across regions in Bolivia.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Nonresident aliens: 3%
Hispanic/Latino: 20%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 8%
White, non-Hispanic: 62%
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 3%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 1%
USF’s professors, along with the professionals involved in the Student Academic Support Services, are focused on creating an atmosphere that facilitates critical thinking and exploration. The benefit of USF’s small size is that no student gets lost in the shuffle. Learning is personalized, and student success is of utmost importance.
“My professor has a passion for encouraging students. She’s more than a teacher; she’s a counselor, advisor, and friend.” – Carlos Arechiga, mass communication student
STUDENT RESOURCES
The College of Business’ “Small Business Incubator,” located at USF’s downtown St. Bonaventure Campus, allows Entrepreneurship students to work with businesses to help develop their own startup. College of Nursing students utilize the SIM Lab and Skills Lab, getting hands-on experience in simulated hospital environments before working with real patients. USF even offers a cadaver lab to give biology and pre-health sciences students the opportunity to expand their understanding of anatomy through hands-on dissection. For College of Education students, the annual Chrysalis Retreat gives students time to reflect on themselves and their passions to become teachers.
PRIMED FOR SUCCESS
USF Saints have multiple opportunities to enroll in supportive programs that set them up for success throughout and beyond college. The USF Summer Academy, for example, provides new students with an experience designed to ease the transition into college life and help them adjust to the challenge of college-level coursework. The university also offers the Success Scholars program to first-generation college students as a way to help them navigate an unfamiliar environment and grow as leaders.
Once prospective students visit USF, they quickly discover how they might fit into the university’s close-knit community, whether that be as members of student clubs or even leaders of their own organizations. In addition, internationally known guest speakers, researchers, and performers are invited to campus each semester for further enhancement of the educational experience.
“I knew USF was the place for me as soon as I walked on the campus.” – Tara Rodriguez, biology student
AN INVITING HOME
USF is located in the historic Upper Bluffs area on the west side of Joliet. Surrounded by historic homes, USF’s main campus features SMART classrooms, a digital audio recording studio, a SIM nursing lab, and a state-of-the-art library.
USF’s downtown St. Bonaventure campus is the home to the Art & Design program; the St. Francis Art Gallery, which features both student and professional art exhibits; and a new building that contains a mock-trial courtroom and educational space for the Criminal & Social Justice, Political Science, and Sport & Tourism programs.
CAMPUS LIFE AND BEYOND
Over 400 USF students live on campus, which is just 35 miles southwest of Chicago. The Saints Shuttle bus can take students to and from the downtown train station, the downtown campus, the Art Gallery, and numerous downtown eateries and entertainment venues.
GREAT RESOURCES
All USF students are provided with free memberships to the Joliet Park District’s Inwood Recreation Club, which features dance and fitness rooms, an indoor track, an aquatic center, an ice rink, and personal fitness staff. On campus, students can utilize the USF weight & cardio fitness training center, racquetball courts, the indoor golf simulator, and the basketball and volleyball courts.
ATHLETICS
- NAIA, Division I. 19 Varsity Sports
- Men – Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross County, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor)
- Women – Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Spiritline, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Volleyball
- Mascot: Bernie, the St. Bernard
- Colors: Brown and Gold
A USF education prepares students for professional success as worldly contributors of service and leadership. USF has a network of 44,000 alumni nationwide in all 50 states and 8 foreign countries. Among USF’s alumni are influential CEOs, attorneys, doctors, nurses, teachers, and social workers, all of whom strive to make a difference in the world.
“USF has sharpened my critical thinking skills and, with a semester of study in Paris, has given me an international perspective.” – Nick Purchase, business management student
ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER
USF students can utilize the Academic Resource Center for guidance as they discover and strengthen their diverse talents and skills. Tutoring, supplemental instruction, and various workshops improve each student’s academic outcomes.
GUARANTEED SUCCESS
USF students are well prepared to pass professional examinations. USF nursing students, for instance, have program-wide pass rates of nearly 100% on the NCLEX examination. Accounting students and future teachers also have high levels of success in achieving their certifications.
CAREER SERVICES
The Career Services staff helps students create résumés and prepare for job interviews. Career Services and the Alumni Office coordinate to create a variety of networking opportunities for students and alumni alike.
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS
Companies that employ USF grads include Advocate Health Care, Argonne National Laboratory, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Caterpillar, CNA Insurance, Mayo Clinic Radiology, and the Merchandise Mart-Chicago.
Among the graduate and professional schools attended by USF graduates are Illinois Institute of Technology, Indiana University, Loyola Medical School, Michigan State, Midwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Tennessee, New York Art Institute and, of course, University of St. Francis.
Admission
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 490 | 75th Percentile: 630
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 540 | 75th Percentile: 610
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 20 | 75th Percentile: 25
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 25
ACT English
25th Percentile: 20 | 75th Percentile: 25
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $31,150
Fees: $320
Room & Board: $9,358
Contact University of St. Francis
Contact Admissions
Campus Location
500 Wilcox Street
Joliet, IL 60435
(800) 735-7500