Franciscan University of Steubenville has improved its standing in the latest U.S. News & World Report 2025-26 Best Colleges guide, moving up three spots to rank 25th among Regional Universities in the Midwest. This advancement places Franciscan within Ohio’s top five universities in this category and maintains its status in the region’s upper tier of 161 colleges.

The university also saw a notable increase in the “Social Mobility” ranking, climbing from 36th to 28th place. Over the past three years, Franciscan has risen by 64 positions in this category, which measures how effectively schools enroll and graduate students who receive Pell Grants.

“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.”

According to U.S. News & World Report data, Franciscan University reports an 85 percent first-year retention rate—well above national averages—a graduation rate of 74 percent, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1.

This recognition comes during a period of growth for Franciscan University. The institution recently announced record enrollment numbers for the eleventh consecutive year. In August 2025, it opened the renovated Christ the King Chapel on campus; seating capacity was nearly doubled from 325 to 590 seats to serve more students and enhancements were made with a new altar, tabernacle, sacred art, and stained-glass windows.

A year earlier, Franciscan opened Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Pope St. Paul VI Event Center—the largest building on campus at over 110,000 square feet—which houses facilities for engineering, business, nursing programs as well as spaces for spiritual and educational events.

Franciscan University has been included in U.S. News & World Report’s top tier of Midwest regional universities every year since 1998.

For additional details about Franciscan University’s programs or admissions process visit franciscan.edu.