Best Franciscan colleges
Catholic colleges in the Franciscan tradition, ranked by Compass Score.
16 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Catholic undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Member institution of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities, per the association's membership (data/supplement/traditions.json).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass every weekday
- 2
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass every weekday
- 3
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass every weekday
- 4
St Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure, NY · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass every weekday
- 5
Marian University
Indianapolis, IN · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass every weekday
- 6
Siena College
Loudonville, NY · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass every weekday
- 7
Alvernia University
Reading, PA · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass every weekday
- 8
Neumann University
Aston, PA · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass every weekday
- 9
Quincy University
Quincy, IL · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass every weekday
- 10
Felician University
Lodi, NJ · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass 3–4 weekdays
- 11
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Baton Rouge, LA · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass 1–2 weekdays
- 12
Madonna University
Livonia, MI · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass every weekday
- 13
Hilbert College
Hamburg, NY · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- 14
Villa Maria College
Buffalo, NY · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- Mass 1–2 weekdays
- 15
University of St Francis
Joliet, IL · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
- 16
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA · Private nonprofit- Member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Francis University | $23,526 | $27,000 | $62,101 | 74% |
| Franciscan University of Steubenville | $23,589 | $23,384 | $50,030 | 75% |
| University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | $18,196 | $25,976 | $55,362 | 55% |
| St Bonaventure University | $27,074 | $26,000 | $57,214 | 67% |
| Marian University | $24,018 | $27,000 | $58,759 | 67% |
| Siena College | $33,733 | $26,561 | $76,079 | 75% |
| Alvernia University | $28,138 | $27,000 | $55,055 | 56% |
| Neumann University | $27,804 | $27,000 | $57,817 | 54% |
| Quincy University | $20,359 | $24,000 | $50,369 | 45% |
| Felician University | $40,045 | $25,000 | $57,602 | 47% |
| Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University | $18,552 | $27,672 | $59,419 | 45% |
| Madonna University | $17,755 | $23,000 | $59,058 | 60% |
| Hilbert College | $22,723 | $24,750 | $48,309 | 56% |
| Villa Maria College | $13,494 | $21,250 | $38,857 | 31% |
| University of St Francis | $13,006 | $21,079 | $63,926 | 67% |
| Briar Cliff University | $23,907 | $23,250 | $54,475 | 48% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.