STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville has earned high marks in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-26 Best Colleges guide, climbing the ranks in two key categories among Regional Universities in the Midwest. 

Franciscan advanced into the top 25 in the “Regional Universities Midwest” category, moving up three spots from 28th to 25th in the upper echelon of regional universities. Retaining its place in the top tier of the region’s 161 colleges, Franciscan’s rating makes it one of Ohio’s top 5 universities. The ranking reflects the University’s continued growth in academic reputation, student success, and commitment to providing a transformative Catholic education.

The University also rose from 36th to 28th in “Social Mobility” among Regional Universities Midwest. Franciscan has jumped 64 spots in three years in this category. Social Mobility highlights schools that excel in enrolling and graduating large proportions of students awarded Pell Grants, a marker of Franciscan’s success in supporting students from diverse backgrounds and helping them achieve strong outcomes.

“Our continued rise in these rankings highlights the extraordinary momentum we’re experiencing at Franciscan,” said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of Franciscan University. “Here, students are immersed in a vibrant intellectual life, supported by new facilities, record enrollment, a world-class faculty, and an unwavering commitment to academic rigor and our Catholic mission. Franciscan is increasingly recognized as a university where faith and reason flourish together, preparing students for lives of greatness and service.”

The U.S. News & World Report rankings also show Franciscan is vastly exceeding national averages with its 85 percent first-year retention rate and is also posting a 74 percent graduation rate and a 19-1 student/faculty ratio.

The U.S. News & World Report recognitions come at a time of continued growth for Franciscan University. Earlier this fall, the University announced record enrollment numbers for the 11th consecutive year, reflecting the strong demand for its academically rigorous, authentically Catholic programs.

Franciscan’s strong showing reflects exciting new developments at the University. These include the August 2025 opening of the renovated Christ the King Chapel, which is the spiritual heart of the campus. Franciscan’s chapel has nearly doubled its seating capacity—from 325 to 590—to better accommodate the growing student population and has added a new altar and tabernacle, new sacred art, and stained-glass windows to beautify the space.

One year ago, the University also opened the state-of-the-art Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Pope St. Paul VI Event Center, now the largest building on campus at more than 110,000 square feet. The new facility includes an academic wing for engineering, business, and nursing students and an event center wing for spiritual and educational conferences.

With its upward trajectory in the U.S. News rankings, Franciscan University continues to distinguish itself as a leader among Midwestern institutions, offering students not only an excellent academic foundation but also a supportive community where faith and reason flourish together.

U.S. News & World Report has included Franciscan University of Steubenville in the elite top tier of Midwest Universities each year since 1998.

For more information about Franciscan University, visit franciscan.edu.