Students at Franciscan University benefit from specialized programs that lead to stable, meaningful careers in healthcare, ministry, and business fields.
The university's focused approach and Catholic mission create clear pathways into service-oriented professions with strong community support and alumni networks.
Franciscan University of Steubenville offers a distinctive Catholic education that combines academic rigor with spiritual formation in a close-knit campus environment. Located in Ohio, this medium-sized private institution serves about 2,100 students with a strong emphasis on nursing, ministry, and business programs. The university maintains above-average earnings outcomes, with graduates earning a median of $50,030 ten years after enrollment, placing it in the 62nd percentile nationally for long-term financial returns.
What distinguishes Franciscan is its specialized program mix and mission-driven approach. Nearly half of the academic portfolio centers on nursing and ministry programs, creating clear pathways into stable, service-oriented careers. The nursing program alone graduates 52 students annually with median earnings of $57,544, while the divinity and ministry programs prepare 91 graduates each year for religious vocations earning around $31,133. This focused approach means students enter well-defined career tracks with strong alumni networks and employer relationships.
As an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Franciscan provides meaningful access to students from diverse backgrounds while maintaining solid graduation rates of 77% within six years. The university's Catholic identity attracts students seeking both academic excellence and spiritual development, creating a unique educational environment that balances professional preparation with personal formation.
Franciscan University's program portfolio reflects its Catholic mission and commitment to service-oriented careers. The Adult Health Nursing program stands out as both the highest-earning and most economically impactful, graduating 52 students annually with median earnings of $57,544. This program represents the university's strongest pathway to high-earning careers while maintaining alignment with the institution's service mission.
Divinity and Ministry dominates enrollment with 91 graduates annually, making it the university's largest program by far. While these graduates earn a median of $31,133, reflecting the nature of religious vocations, the program provides essential preparation for students called to ministry work. The substantial enrollment demonstrates Franciscan's role as a key pipeline for Catholic Church leadership and religious education professionals.
Business Administration, though smaller with 22 graduates, offers competitive earnings around $42,682 and provides career flexibility for students seeking private sector opportunities. This program complements the university's service-oriented focus by preparing students for ethical business leadership aligned with Catholic social teaching. Together, these three programs represent the core of Franciscan's academic mission: preparing healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and ethical business practitioners.
Graduates of Franciscan University of Steubenville achieve solid long-term earnings that reflect the institution's focused program mix. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $50,030, placing the university above average nationally for earnings outcomes. The university's strength lies in its specialized programs, particularly nursing, which produces some of the highest-earning graduates with median salaries of $57,544 for the 52 annual nursing graduates.
The university's program portfolio is highly concentrated in service-oriented fields. Adult Health Nursing represents the highest aggregate return program, combining strong enrollment with excellent earnings outcomes. Divinity and Ministry, the largest program with 91 graduates annually, leads to median earnings of $31,133, reflecting the nature of religious vocations but providing meaningful career preparation for students called to ministry work. Business Administration graduates, though fewer in number at 22 annually, earn competitive salaries around $42,682, demonstrating the university's ability to prepare students for diverse career paths.
While earnings vary significantly by program choice, Franciscan's focused approach ensures students enter well-established career pipelines with strong institutional support. The university's Catholic identity and specialized programs create targeted pathways into healthcare, ministry, and business sectors, where graduates benefit from dedicated alumni networks and employer relationships built over decades of consistent program quality.
Franciscan University of Steubenville maintains relatively consistent net pricing across income levels, with low-income students paying about $19,180 annually and middle-income families seeing costs around $19,272. High-income families face higher net prices at $26,319, but the university's aid structure helps keep costs predictable for most students. These price points place Franciscan in the lower portion of the national distribution for affordability, reflecting the realities of private education costs.
The university's financial aid approach emphasizes need-based assistance, helping to level costs between low- and middle-income students. This pricing structure makes Franciscan accessible to families across income ranges, though the higher net prices for upper-income families reflect the institution's need to balance accessibility with financial sustainability. The consistent aid delivery helps families plan effectively for the full four-year degree cost.
What makes Franciscan's pricing sustainable for many families is the institution's strong graduation rates and clear career pathways. With 77% of students completing their degrees within six years and programs that lead directly into stable employment, families can approach the investment with confidence in degree completion and career outcomes.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
