Record enrollment and new residential expansion reflect continued demand for Franciscan’s academically excellent, passionately Catholic education.
STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville has once again earned recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges rankings, placing among the top Regional Universities in the Midwest while also receiving high marks among private universities and for social mobility.
In the 2026-27 rankings released today, Franciscan University ranked:
- Number 36 (tie) among Regional Universities in the Midwest
- Number 27 (tie) among Top Private Schools—Regional Universities in the Midwest
- Number 26 (tie) in Social Mobility—Regional Universities in the Midwest
The latest results continue Franciscan’s recognition by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest. In addition, the Social Mobility category recognizes universities for enrolling and graduating students who receive federal Pell Grants, including many students from lower-income families.
“We are grateful whenever Franciscan is recognized for the good work happening here, but rankings are only one measure of a university,” said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University. “We are deeply committed to academic excellence and to giving our students an education that challenges them to pursue truth at the highest level. At the same time, what matters most is that our students encounter Jesus Christ and are formed intellectually, spiritually, and as whole persons for the lives God is calling them to live. The fact that more students than ever are enrolled at Franciscan tells us that young people and families are looking for exactly that kind of education.”
The new rankings come as Franciscan University continues to experience historic growth. This fall, the University is projecting a record total enrollment of 4,279 students, including 1,285 new freshmen, transfers, graduate students, and online students. Franciscan students now come from all 50 states and 50 countries.
Franciscan’s online programs are also reaching a growing number of students. A record 185 new online undergraduate students enrolled this fall, while more than 500 new students overall entered Franciscan through graduate, online graduate, and online undergraduate programs.
The sustained growth is also driving continued investment in the University’s Steubenville campus.
Franciscan is moving forward with a major residential expansion on University Boulevard scheduled to open in August 2027. The new residential complex will consist of two residence halls—one for men and one for women—joined by a central common area and designed to accommodate approximately 400 students.
Plans for the new residence halls include a chapel, student gathering and programming spaces, and a bridge connection designed to better unite lower campus with upper campus. The project will also provide Franciscan greater flexibility to renovate and improve existing residence halls as the University continues to invest in the residential experience that plays an important role in its model of human and spiritual formation.
The new housing follows other major investments prompted by Franciscan’s growth, including the 2024 opening of Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Pope St. Paul VI Event Center and the 2025 reopening of the expanded and renovated Christ the King Chapel.
Together, the record enrollment, expanding academic reach, and continued investment in campus facilities reflect strong demand for Franciscan University’s distinctive approach to higher education—bringing together academic excellence, Catholic faith, personal formation, and a vibrant community life.
For more information about Franciscan University of Steubenville, visit https://franciscan.edu.
