About Franciscan

Area Attractions

College is about finding yourself--and sometimes about finding yourself somewhere else. Whether you prefer the big city or the middle of nowhere, you won't have to travel far.

Pittsburgh is a short and easy drive (it may as well be our home city). One of America's truly great cities, Pittsburgh has the National Aviary, a prestigious theatre district, professional baseball, football, and hockey teams, festivals for the arts and ethnic celebrations, and many breathtaking churches. There is always something worth doing in Pittsburgh.

Closer to home, Steubenville boasts a life-size reproduction of Fort Steuben, an early post-Revolution army outpost in the Northwest Territories, and many large outdoor murals throughout the city that tell the story of Steubenville and the Ohio Valley region.

To get away from the concrete jungles of the urban centers, spectacularly scenic state parks in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are nearby, offering hiking, fishing, camping, golfing, and other activities. The foothills of the Appalachian Mountains hide many natural treasures around every green bend.

Getting to Campus

Directions by Air

Commercial Flights: Pittsburgh International Airport is an easy 30 minute drive away for those flying commercial (driving directions below).
Private Jets: The Jefferson County Airpark offers a convenient and pleasant welcome if you'd like to fly in yourself. Free use of a hangar may be possible upon request.

Airport Pickup Service

If you are a new student attending Spring 2012 Orientation, you can contact the Student Life Office to arrange to be picked up by the Orientation Transportation team on Thursday, January 12,  2012 at orientation@franciscan.edu or call 740-283-6470.

Here are some options for transportation to and from the airport.

• Checker Transportation: (740) 283-1757
• Airport Sedan Service: (412) 401-5466
• Majesty Company: (412) 462-4858

Directions by Land

- 50¢ toll road.

• Take Route 576 East toward Weirton – (approx. 10 min).
• Merge on to Route 22 West (approx. 20 minutes).
  • . . . .Follow Rt. 22 West over the large cable bridge (Veteran’s Memorial Bridge) and into Ohio
    (While on bridge stay in right-hand lane)
• Take the exit for University Blvd./Rte. 7
• At the first stoplight, turn right - this is University Blvd.
• Travel up University Blvd, approx. 1/2 mile. Main University entrance on the right.  

From North (I-80, PA or OH Turnpikes)  

• Take I-80 or I-76 to Rt. 11 South.
• Take Rt. 11 South to East Liverpool, Ohio.
• You then take Rt. 7 South. Follow Rt. 7 South to Steubenville (approx. ½ hour).
• Take the exit for Rt. 22 East/ Pittsburgh/University Blvd. This exit “hugs” a retaining wall.
• Continue along the retaining wall and follow the signs for University Blvd. You will intersect University
  Blvd. at the first stop light.
• Turn right onto University Blvd. (Go up University approx. ½ mile. Main University entrance on right).

From points South--to the East or West (I-70):

• Take I-70 East or West to Route 7 North (Bridgeport, Ohio), to Steubenville (approx. ½
  hour).
• Look for the signs for "Rt. 22 East: Pittsburgh/University Blvd." 
• You will be turning left at the stoplight.
• You are now on University Blvd. (Go up University approx. ½ mile. Main University entrance on right).

From East (I-76):

• Take I-76 West, (Pennsylvania Turnpike) to 376 west, through Pittsburgh.
• Follow the signs for the Fort Pitt Tunnel, which will put you on I-279 South/US 22/US-30.
• Proceed through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Continue for approx. 10 miles.
• Look for the exit for Rt. 22 West: Weirton/Rt. 30.
• Take Rt. 22 West for about 30 miles.
• Follow Rt. 22 West over the large cable bridge (Veteran’s Memorial Bridge) and into Ohio
  (While on bridge stay in right-hand lane)
• Take the exit for University Blvd./Rte. 7 South 
• At the first stoplight, turn right, (this is University Blvd).
• Follow University Blvd 1/2 mile to the main entrance for Franciscan University, on the right.