SFU Lands Best Value and Top Private College Distinctions

LORETTO, Pa. - Sept. 22, 2026 - Saint Francis University has been recognized among the leading universities in the northern United States for value, climbing significantly in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.

Saint Francis rose 18 positions to tie for #37 among Regional Universities in the North, up from #55 last year, and climbed 47 positions to #15 among Best Value Schools - Regional Universities (North).

Among Pennsylvania institutions included in the Regional Universities (North) category, Saint Francis ranks among the top three overall and top four for Best Value. Saint Francis also debuted at #25 in Top Private Colleges - Regional Universities (North), a brand-new ranking category introduced by U.S. News for 2027. The University's Office of Institutional Research analysis places Saint Francis among the top three Pennsylvania institutions appearing in that category.

"This recognition reflects something that has long been central to our mission at Saint Francis: providing students with an education that is both excellent and accessible," said the Very Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Ph.D., president of Saint Francis University. "For us, value is not simply about what an education costs. It is about what that education makes possible...the knowledge students gain, the experiences they have, and the ways they use their gifts in service to others as they carry their Catholic Franciscan values into their careers."

The 2027 U.S. News rankings introduce a new postgraduate earnings metric, adding an outcomes-focused measure to the Best Colleges methodology. According to an analysis by the Saint Francis University Office of Institutional Research, the Best Value methodology now incorporates College Scorecard information that draws upon institutional IPEDS data and earnings data. That broader definition of value complements Saint Francis University's ongoing efforts to make a private university education accessible while preparing students for successful lives and careers.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the University's Zero-Tuition Advantage provides qualifying Pennsylvania students with the opportunity to attend Saint Francis with no out-of-pocket tuition costs after federal, state and institutional aid is applied.

Affordability is paired with a strong emphasis on career preparation and experiential learning. The University's most recent First Destination Report statistics highlight that 99.6% of graduates were employed or attending graduate school within nine months of graduation. Students across disciplines also have opportunities to apply what they learn through internships, clinical experiences, research, service, student teaching, and other hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom preparation with their future professions.

The University's overall U.S. News ranking improved from #55 to #37 among 155 institutions ranked in the Regional Universities (North) category. The complete 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings are available at usnews.com/best-colleges.