STEUBENVILLE, OHIO— U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges Guide ranked Franciscan University of Steubenville 19th among all Midwest universities in rankings released this week.

Among the leading factors for the top-tier ranking are an 87 percent first-year retention rate, a 77 percent six-year graduation rate, and a 13-1 student/faculty ratio.

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of Franciscan University, said the high rankings in these and 14 other categories speak to Franciscan’s excellent academics as well as its campus culture. “Students come here and stay here to complete their education because of our academic rigor, vibrant faith life, and strong Catholic identity that infuses all aspects of our academics and student life programs.”

Underscoring the 2022 Best Colleges findings, this semester Franciscan University welcomed to campus its second-largest incoming class on record—over 700 full- and part-time students—and its largest class ever of returning undergraduate students—over 1,530. Including on-campus part-time, full-time, graduate, and online graduate and undergraduate students, total enrollment for fall 2021 is over 3,400.

Of note, U.S. News ranked Franciscan University 9th among Best Value Universities. Best value considers academic quality relative to the amount of financial aid a student receives that does not need to be paid back, mainly need-based scholarships and grants.

The magazine also ranked Franciscan University 9th among Best Colleges for Veterans, which lists top-ranked schools that make pursuing a college education more affordable for veterans and active-duty service members.

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