USF Programs Shine in Online Program Rankings by U.S. News

Joliet, Ill. – U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2023 Best Online Programs rankings, and the University of St. Francis (USF) is proud to announce that its online graduate business programs (excluding MBA) were ranked the best in Illinois. The publication also recognized four other online programs offered by USF, including two named as the best private programs in Illinois (online graduate education programs and online MBA programs). Recognized USF programs included:
  • Online Graduate Business Programs (excluding MBA) – #1 ranked program overall in Illinois (36th percentile nationally);
  • Online Graduate Education Programs – #1 ranked private program in Illinois (18th percentile nationally);
  • Online MBA Programs – #1 ranked private program in Illinois (36th percentile nationally);
  • Online Nursing Programs – #3 ranked private program in Illinois (35th percentile nationally), and;
  • Online Bachelor’s Programs – #4 ranked private program in Illinois (24th percentile nationally).
As online education programs gain in popularity and demand, USF continues to leverage its comprehensive history of offering quality options that meet the changing needs of students interested in earning undergraduate and graduate degrees. Visit stfrancis.edu/admissions-aid/online for more information on USF’s online programs. Visit usnews.com/education/online-education for more information on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Programs rankings. About U.S News & World Report’s Ranking Methodology U.S. News & World Report (U.S. News) has been publishing school rankings in the education sector since 1983 and has done so specifically for online degree programs since 2013. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, U.S. News calculates rankings based on a variety of factors, which hold different weights depending on the ranking category. A program’s score for each factor, or ranking indicator, is calculated using data that online programs report to U.S. News in an annual survey. The rankings methodologies for online programs are separate from those for U.S. News’ Best Colleges and Best Graduate Schools rankings. Ranking methodologies are typically updated on an annual basis. Additional details are available at usnews.com/education/online-education. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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USF Named Among the Best Colleges in Illinois by Intelligent.com

Joliet, Ill. – Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for program rankings and higher education planning, has included University of St. Francis (USF) in its list of the Best Colleges in Illinois in 2023. The research identifies top schools in the state based on tuition fees, credit requirements, and the available formats for coursework (i.e., on-campus or online classes). Intelligent.com implemented a unique methodology that ranks each program on a scale from 0 to 100 across five categories. The scoring system compares each university according to program strength, student readiness, return on investment, cost, and student engagement. “The University of St. Francis continues to earn recognition from a wide variety of national ranking organizations, which serves as validation of the quality and the value of USF’s programs. These rankings also serve as a source of pride for our faculty, administrators and staff, who collectively create the USF experience that prepares women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership,” said Dave DiLorenzo, USF director of community and employee relations. Studies show that obtaining a degree increases income substantially, with graduates earning 84% more than those with only high school diplomas or those without a completed GED. The percentage difference in earnings continues to grow with higher learning degrees such as master’s, doctoral or professional degrees, with the unemployment rate decreasing to as much as 1.6% for those with a doctorate. To access the complete ranking, please visit intelligent.com/best-colleges-and-universities/illinois/#university_of_st__francis. About Intelligent.com Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides that include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships, and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. Visit intelligent.com to learn more. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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The Princeton Review Names USF a Best Midwestern College

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) is one of the 158 best colleges in the Midwest according to The Princeton Review. The education services company lists USF in the Best in the Midwest section of its 2023 Best Colleges: Region by Region website. The honor marks the fifteenth consecutive year USF has been named to this national listing. Arranged according to five regional categories (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West and International), The Princeton Review’s “2023 Best Colleges: Region by Region” recognizes 655 colleges and universities that the organization considers both academically outstanding and a valuable collegiate option. “USF is dedicated to preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership, and continues to work together build a Franciscan future in our second century as an institution of higher education. National recognition such as this – a fifteenth consecutive year of recognition by The Princeton Review – demonstrates the University of St. Francis’ longstanding and ongoing commitment to student success in terms of retention to graduation rates to in-field job placement,” USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., said. Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief, indicated that academics and overall campus experience play an important role in assembling this annual listing. “We chose the University of St. Francis and the other outstanding institutions on this list primarily for their academics,” Franek said. He noted that the company considered data from its survey of administrators at several hundred colleges in each region, information from staff visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of college counselors and advisors whose perspectives the company solicits. “We also consider what students enrolled at the schools reported to us on our student survey about their campus experiences,” Franek added. To learn more about The Princeton Review or to view the listing, please visit princetonreview.com/bestMWcolleges. National Recognition Continues USF continues to receive high praise from a variety of national ranking agencies. Most recently, Niche.com released its 2023 Best Colleges in America rankings and placed USF as the #4 Best Value College in Illinois and #112 Best Value College in the nation. Additionally, Niche.com ranked USF as the #49 Best Catholic Colleges in the nation, and among the top 200 schools in the in a variety of majors and programs. Visit niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges/ for more information the 2023 Best Colleges in America rankings by Niche.com. Visit stfrancis.edu/nationally-ranked for more information on additional national accolades earned by USF. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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Fortune Names USF’s Online Master of Science in Nursing Program the Best in Illinois

Joliet, Ill. – As the University of St. Francis (USF) prepares to open the fall 2022 semester later this month, it will do so with the top-ranked online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program in Illinois according to Fortune’s inaugural Best Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs in 2022. In fact, USF’s MSN program (#29 overall) was one of only two Illinois programs included in Fortune’s 2022 rankings. “Graduates from USF’s program incorporate their education and research into a practice that is reflective of the dynamic needs of a diverse population. Through that advanced role, they are instrumental in ensuring health promotion, health maintenance, and health restoration in their community of practice. Through scientific inquiry and collaborative relationships, the advanced practice nurse continually augments and refines the science of nursing,” said USF Leach College of Nursing dean, Yeijin Yeom, Ph.D., RN, CNE. “Online master’s degree programs in nursing provide nurses a path into an APRN career by enabling them to remotely earn their degree from top-ranked programs. These online programs offer more flexibility than an in-person master’s degree program in nursing, but still deliver the guidance and curriculum required for licensure. The online path is a critical part of meeting the stark demand for advanced practice registered nurses in the coming years, which is why Fortune is launching its inaugural ranking of online master’s in nursing (MSN) programs,” said Meghan Malas of Fortune Education. Fortune’s online MSN program rankings were based on three criteria: Selectivity Score (55% comprised of the average undergraduate GPA of incoming students, and a weighted program acceptance rate), Success Score (40% comprised of one-year retention and graduation rates), and Demand Score (5% comprised of the program’s most recent graduating class). Click here to view Fortune’s inaugural Best Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs in 2022 rankings. Other Recent Top Accolades for USF USF’s MSN program earning top accolades in Illinois by Fortune adds to a growing list of top State honors by Joliet’s university. In the past 12 months, USF also earned recognition for having the best online MBA program in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report, as well as the safest college campus in Illinois according to WalletHub. To learn more about state and national recognition earned by USF and its programs, click here. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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Money Ranks USF in Its Best Colleges in America 2022 Listing

Joliet, Ill. – With expanded scholarships and career-launching degree programs, the University of St. Francis (USF) found itself ranked in the top 20 percent of both Illinois and the U.S. in the most recent Money magazine list of best colleges released earlier this month. Money’s Best Colleges in America 2022 publication ranked USF 5th among the 26 Illinois colleges and universities included in the rankings, and 107th overall out of a total of 623 ranked colleges and universities. “High school students and parents looking at college, and adults looking at graduate school are right to be cautious about investing time and money into an educational program. A college degree can be worth millions of dollars over the course of one’s career. USF has designed degree programs that help our graduates launch truly valuable, meaningful careers,” said Eric Wignall, vice president for admissions at USF. “As an investment, the value of a degree from the University of St. Francis continues to climb. It’s really gratifying that Money again recognized USF for offering high quality, award-winning degree programs in their latest rankings,” Wignall added. “Money’s rankings only include U.S. colleges that have sufficient reliable data for us to analyze. In order to make the list, a college’s graduation rate must be at or above the median for its institutional category (public, private or HBCU). Alternatively, it must fall within the top 25% of our “value-added” graduation analysis, meaning the graduation rate needs to be higher than would be expected for colleges that enroll similar students,” explained a spokesperson from Money. Visit money.com/bestcolleges to view the entire 2022 listing. Visit stfrancis.edu/nationally-ranked for more national accolades. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #

USF Earns 2022-2023 Military Friendly® School Designation

Military Friendly School
Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) announced today that it has earned the 2022-2023 Military Friendly® School designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2022-2023 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard. USF has earned the honor annually since 2011. The 2022-2023 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by VIQTORY with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans. “USF maintains the highest standards in our programs and assists veterans in both the admission process and applying for their applicable benefits,” said Bruce Foote, Veterans Certifying Official at USF. “Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard,” said Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®. For more information about USF’s student veteran programs, visit stfrancis.edu and search the keyword “veterans”. About Military Friendly® Schools The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. About VIQTORY Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com. : : The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose. # # #
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