Undergraduate Requirements

High School Seniors: Seniors in high school must meet the following requirements for admission:

• Minimum GPA Requirements:
  • Achieved a weighted cumulative high school GPA of 2.4 or higher on a 4.0 scale (with a qualifying test score).
  • To maintain consistency in our admissions process, it is our policy that a student’s high school GPA is subject to re-calculation to match our standard 4.0 GPA scale, due to the variance in high school course weighting systems. Our admissions team uses a standardized GPA calculator to determine the student’s cumulative weighted GPA at the time of review.
  • We accept a GED diploma with a “College Ready” score of 165 or higher.
  • Note: Students applying for the Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, or Pre-Engineering dual-degree programs must have a 3.6 weighted GPA or higher to be directly accepted to the Department of Engineering and Computing. Math and Science grades and scores are specifically taken into account to ensure academic success in these rigorous majors. Students with a GPA below 3.6 will be placed in the Engineering- Provisional major at the time of acceptance, with specific requirements.

• Test Scores and Exam Requirements:
  • SAT score of 1000 or higher (with only Evidence Based Reading and Writing and Math sections), OR
  • ACT composite score of 21 or higher, OR
  • CLT Score of 68 or higher.

• TEST SCORE SUBMISSION IS OPTIONAL FOR SPRING AND FALL 2026 APPLICANTS: Franciscan University has elected to make the standardized test requirement optional for new students. Submitting an essay vs. above minimum test score will not negatively impact the review process.
  • In lieu of submitting a test score, students with a 3.2 or higher cumulative weighted GPA may submit a one-page, double-spaced, 12-point-font essay using the following prompt:
    At Franciscan University, our mission is “to educate, evangelize, and send forth joyful disciples.” Share a story or example from your life that shows how your faith and intellectual growth have shaped you into who you are today. How do you hope your time at Franciscan University will help you continue to grow spiritually and academically?
  • The essay can be emailed to [email protected] or to your admissions counselor with the subject line: “Undergraduate Admissions Essay.“
  • Please note: We are looking for your unique voice and content in your essay. Improper use of AI tools when writing your essay is considered plagiarism, and detection of AI usage may disqualify your application for acceptance.

Examples of ethical uses of AI tools for essay writing:

• grammar and spelling check
• using AI to research college essay suggestions
• generating questions to brainstorm your topic

Examples of unethical uses of AI tools for essay writing:

• copying and pasting any portions of your essay directly from an AI tool
• using an AI tool to draft or outline your essay
• using AI generated content rather than your own voice and tone

If you have any questions about the testing requirements policy or require any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the admissions office at [email protected] or you can contact your admissions counselor directly.

Seniors must receive a high school diploma or the equivalent from an accredited institution before officially enrolling at the university. An admission decision is usually made before this occurs, but we will still need your final official high school transcript after graduating.

Franciscan University welcomes and encourages students who have been homeschooled to apply for admission. Homeschooled students must meet the regular criteria above for high school seniors and provide:

• SAT, ACT, and/or CLT score report, OR short essay;
• Evidence of participation in a homeschool program, including official seal and signature; OR official transcripts from a homeschool program or independent homeschool showing courses that fulfill the Franciscan’s high school course requirements
• Transcripts may be submitted in either of two ways:
  • Use FastTranscripts.com, or
  • Download and fill out this form. (Note: This documentation must be signed by the student’s primary educator.)

Transfer students to Franciscan University must meet the following requirements:

• Received a cumulative college GPA of 2.2 or higher after completing at least 24 college-level credits from an accredited institution. (SAT/ACT/CLT not required)
• If you have not yet received 24 college-level credits, your high school GPA and SAT, ACT, or CLT score will be considered along with your college GPA. Midterm grade reports may be required.

For more information visit the Transfer Student Requirements page.

Transfer students who have attended other colleges and universities must submit a final official high school transcript prior to enrolling.

If you do not meet one or more of these requirements, please contact your admissions counselor to discuss your available options.

If you are an international student, please follow the requirements on the International Students page.

You may also contact Vanessa Edwards, International Admissions Counselor, at vedwards@franciscan.edu.

Students who attend classes for credits to be transferred to another college or university in which they are regularly enrolled are classified as transient students.

Such students must file a transient application form, which includes a statement granting them permission from the college or university that they are attending.

Through the Franciscan FastTrack program high school students can take college classes on campus or online!

For information about online classes visit the Franciscan FastTrack pages.

Area high school students may come to Franciscan University of Steubenville campus for regular courses on a space available basis. Students may take up to two courses per semester (Fall and Spring) and an additional two courses spread over the summer sessions.

The cost is $150 per credit hour for both online and on ground Fast Track courses.

Eligibility

• High school students must be 16 years of age by the last day of add/drop for the semester they will enroll and have completed their sophomore year of high school.
• Students must have a current high school grade point average of 2.4 or a C+ average to participate in this program. A maximum of twelve (12) courses at Franciscan University may be taken.

Processes and Procedures

• Course selection is limited to 100 and 200 level courses as space allows. Students must submit to the Admissions Office a Post-Secondary Application with the signature and title of the approving high school official.
• For each semester after the initial application, the student will need to register for their course(s) online on their Port student account. Students will receive an email from Admissions before each semester begins, informing them when Post-Secondary Online Registration is open.
• High school students will be issued a Franciscan University ID coded “high school” that will enable them to purchase meals in the cafeteria. High school students are not charged an activity fee and may not participate in intramural sports.
• Post-secondary classes are not available after high school graduation.

Students who have already obtained a degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville or from another college or university and wish to attend classes for credit must file an application and indicate that they are not seeking a second degree (non-degree student).

A transcript that indicates the degree and date of graduation must be sent from the school that awarded the degree. To change from non-degree status to degree-seeking status, a student must apply through the Admissions Office.

Students wishing to attend Franciscan University as non-degree students who have not already obtained a college degree must follow the same procedure as a first-time or transfer student, submitting all high school and college transcripts. To become a degree-seeking student at a later date, students must submit all final, official transcripts and a new application to the Admissions Office.