University of St Francis admissions run on a year-round rolling calendar out of Joliet, Illinois, and Indian applicants apply directly on the university portal rather than through the Common Application. Undergraduate entry needs a completed Class XII of about 60 percent or higher with English proof; graduate entry needs a recognised Bachelor’s with a US 4.0-scale GPA of 2.75 for most business and education tracks and 3.0 for Nursing and doctoral programs.
- Next live deadline: 4 January 2027 for Spring 2027 Module 1 (Fall 2027 files also open on the same portal).
- Base tuition: undergraduate $39,966 (about ₹37.77 Lakhs) per year, graduate $820 to $830 per credit hour (about ₹77,490 to ₹78,435); no application fee for online submissions.
- Eligibility floor: Class XII 60 percent for UG, Bachelor’s with 2.75 GPA (about 65 percent) for most PG, plus IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79.
- Acceptance rate: estimated at 65 to 70 percent, as the university does not publish an official institutional figure.
Indian applicants at University of St Francis cluster in the MBA, MS Health Administration, MSN Nursing, and MS Management tracks, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice is a common step-up. Student sentiment is steady on class size (11:1 student-to-faculty), Chicago-adjacent placement access, and up to $25,000 per year in institutional scholarships for qualifying international students.
Table of Contents
- University of St Francis Application Deadlines
- USF Eligibility for Indian Students
- USF Graduate Programs and English Scores
- University of St Francis Undergraduate Programs
- USF MBA Admission for Indian Applicants
- University of St Francis Application Process
- USF Documents Required for Indian Students
- University of St Francis Acceptance Rate
- USA F-1 Student Visa Process
- Tips and Checklist for University of St Francis
- University of St Francis Admissions FAQs
University of St Francis Application Deadlines for Indian Students
University of St Francis operates six eight-week modules across the year, and each application closes one week before that module’s start. Indian students target Fall (August) as the primary intake because it is when most programs, F-1 processing, and orientation cluster; Spring (January) is the secondary window, and Summer (May) suits fewer graduate tracks. Deadlines below come from the official USF Graduate Admission Requirements and Deadlines page and the USF academic calendar.
USF’s primary intake for Indian students is Fall (August) — most programs open here.
| Intake | Level | Module Start | Application Deadline | App Fee | Portal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 Module 1 | UG and PG | 11 Jan 2027 | 4 Jan 2027 | No fee (online) | USF Portal |
| Spring 2027 Module 2 | UG and PG | 15 Mar 2027 | 8 Mar 2027 | No fee (online) | USF Portal |
| Summer 2027 Module 1 | PG (select) | 17 May 2027 | 10 May 2027 | No fee (online) | USF Portal |
| Summer 2027 Module 2 | PG (select) | 14 Jun 2027 | 7 Jun 2027 | No fee (online) | USF Portal |
| Fall 2027 (Primary intake) | UG and PG | Late Aug 2027 | Rolling, close 1 week before start | No fee (online) | USF Portal |
Planning note: Indian applicants should file at least 10 to 12 weeks before the module deadline so credential evaluation, I-20 issuance, and F-1 visa slotting all clear in time.
University of St Francis Eligibility for Indian Students
University of St Francis eligibility is spread across three checkpoints: academic thresholds, English proficiency, and program-specific GPA bars. Figures here are drawn from the USF English Language Proficiency page and the USF International Graduate Admission Requirements page. Class XII and Indian Bachelor’s percentages here are the practical floors USF applies after credential evaluation.
- UG general entry: Class XII around 60 percent from a CBSE, ICSE, or state board.
- PG general entry: Bachelor’s with a US 4.0 GPA of 2.75, roughly 60 to 65 percent in Indian terms.
- Nursing and doctoral entry: Bachelor’s with a US 4.0 GPA of 3.0, roughly 70 to 75 percent.
- MBA entry: Bachelor’s with 2.75 GPA plus two years of professional experience or an approved test score.
English Proficiency Minimums at University of St Francis
USF accepts multiple tests. The floors are:
| Test | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 (no band below 5.5) | 6.0 (no band below 5.5) |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 | 79 |
| PTE Academic | 54 (General Level 3) | 54 (General Level 3) |
| Duolingo English Test | 105 | 115 |
| SAT (English) | 1030 with Writing 5 | Not applicable |
| GRE (Verbal + Writing) | Not applicable | Verbal 158, Writing 4.4 |
University of St Francis English Waiver for Indian Students
India is not on USF’s country-based English exemption list, so most Indian applicants either sit IELTS/TOEFL or use one of two open pathways. First, an English-medium US bachelor’s, master’s, or two completed US college semesters waives the test. Second, completion of a CEA, ACCET, or EnglishUSA-accredited English language program is accepted in place of a test. Applicants short of the floor are automatically considered for conditional admission and asked to complete on-campus English before starting core coursework.
University of St Francis Graduate Programs for Indian Students
University of St Francis lists 15 master’s, two doctoral, and three post-master’s certificate tracks. Base tuition for graduate credits is $820 to $830 per credit hour (about ₹77,490 to ₹78,435) for the 2026-27 year, and total program cost depends on credit load; see the course-wise fees breakdown for detailed splits.
| Programme | Duration | Minimum Eligibility | English Req. Min. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 2 years | Bachelor’s with GPA 2.75, plus 2 years experience or test score | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| MS Health Administration | 2 years | Bachelor’s with GPA 2.75 in any discipline | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| MS Management | 1.5 to 2 years | Bachelor’s with GPA 2.75 | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| MS Talent Development | 2 years | Bachelor’s with GPA 2.75 | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years | BSN with GPA 3.0, active RN licence | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| Master of Social Work (MSW) | 2 years | Bachelor’s with GPA 2.75, CSWE-approved evaluation | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| M.Ed. Educational Leadership | 2 years | Bachelor’s with GPA 2.75, teaching background preferred | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| M.Ed. Elementary Education | 2 years | Bachelor’s with GPA 2.75 | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| M.Ed. Special Education | 2 years | Bachelor’s with GPA 2.75 | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| Ed.D. Educational Leadership (Doctoral) | 3 years | Master’s with graduate GPA 3.0 | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3 years | MSN with graduate GPA 3.0, active RN licence | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
Insider note: Nursing and doctoral tracks apply the 3.0 GPA floor firmly, but MBA, Management, and Health Administration reviewers actively use the 2.75 floor plus work-experience narrative to admit borderline files.
Note: Program-specific entry requirements, fees, and intake availability may differ from the institution-wide minimums shown above. Always confirm on the official University of St Francis page for your chosen program before applying.
University of St Francis Undergraduate Programs for Indian Students
University of St Francis undergraduate tuition for full-time first-year and transfer students is $39,966 (about ₹37.77 Lakhs) per year for 2026-27, with part-time credits at $960 (around ₹90,720). Program duration is four years for a Bachelor’s; the university does not charge a separate application fee for online submissions.
| Programme | Duration | Minimum Eligibility | English Req. Min. |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBA Finance | 4 years | Class XII around 60 percent with Mathematics | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| BS Information Technology | 4 years | Class XII around 60 percent | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| BS Web Application Development | 4 years | Class XII around 60 percent | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years | Class XII with Biology at 65 percent or higher | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
| Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) | 4 years | Class XII around 60 percent | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 |
SAT or ACT scores are optional for admission but useful for scholarship consideration. USF’s institutional aid for qualifying first-year and transfer international applicants goes up to $25,000 per year (about ₹23.63 Lakhs); browse the funding for Indian students for the full slate.
University of St Francis MBA Admission for Indian Students
The USF MBA runs in flexible online and on-campus formats out of the College of Business and Health Administration, and Indian applicants file through the same rolling module calendar as other graduate tracks. GMAT and GRE are waived by default when a candidate meets the GPA or experience threshold.
USF MBA Eligibility for Indian Applicants
- Degree: Bachelor’s from a recognised institution, any discipline.
- GPA: 2.75 on the US 4.0 scale, roughly 60 to 65 percent Indian equivalent.
- Experience: Two years of professional work, or an approved inbound test score.
- Documents: Essay, letter of recommendation, resume, and employment verification.
USF MBA Tuition and Format
MBA base tuition is $820 per credit hour (about ₹77,490), with a 36-credit path totalling roughly $29,520 (about ₹27.90 Lakhs) in base tuition before books and fees. There is no institution-wide interview stage; individual concentrations may schedule a check-in call. For scholarship pathways, see the detailed program list.
Insider note: USF’s MBA International Cohort pairs core coursework with a short international immersion (Central Europe, Asia, or Panama), and travel costs are separate from base tuition — plan an added budget line if you enrol.
University of St Francis Application Process for Indian Students
University of St Francis uses its own online portal, not the Common Application. Once you decide on a target module, the sequence below is what USF’s international admissions team actually walks Indian applicants through, per the USF international graduate requirements page.
- Create an account on the USF Online Application portal and pick your program.
- Pay the application fee: USF charges no application fee for online submissions.
- Send transcripts and Class XII/Bachelor’s marksheets to admtranscripts@stfrancis.edu.
- Order a course-by-course credential evaluation from a NACES-approved agency such as WES or ECE.
- Submit IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo scores directly from the testing body.
- Upload SOP essay, one to two LORs, resume, and any program-specific forms.
- Submit the affidavit of support, sponsor bank statement, and passport copy for I-20.
- Pay the $550 (about ₹51,975) tuition deposit that unlocks I-20 issuance.
USF Admission Decisions and Offer Timeline
USF issues decisions on a rolling basis, and complete files typically hear back within two to four weeks. Once accepted, applicants sign the offer, remit the tuition deposit, and receive the I-20 for the F-1 visa. Deferrals to the next module are handled case by case through your admissions counsellor.
University of St Francis Documents Required for Indian Students
The document set below is the paperwork Indian applicants upload or send in support of the application — academic thresholds and test scores are covered separately in the Eligibility section. Every item is drawn from USF’s international graduate admission requirements.
- Passport bio page scan, valid at least six months beyond intake.
- Official transcripts sent from every institution to admtranscripts@stfrancis.edu.
- Course-by-course credential evaluation from a NACES-approved agency (WES, ECE, IEE).
- English test score report forwarded from IELTS, ETS, PTE, or Duolingo.
- Statement of Purpose or admission essay tailored to the program.
- One to two letters of recommendation (varies by program).
- Resume showing academic and work timeline.
- Verification of employment for MBA and executive tracks.
- Affidavit of support signed by the financial sponsor.
- Sponsor bank statement covering one year of tuition and living expenses.
- Tuition deposit receipt of $550 (about ₹51,975) at the I-20 stage.
Note: Nursing applicants also submit proof of an active RN licence, and Social Work applicants use a CSWE-approved evaluation instead of the standard NACES route.
University of St Francis Acceptance Rate for Indian Students
University of St Francis does not publish an official institutional acceptance-rate figure. Based on selectivity patterns for mid-size private Catholic universities in Illinois, the acceptance rate is estimated at 65 to 70 percent across undergraduate and graduate tracks combined. The rate is meaningfully influenced by GPA fit and English score, so a well-scored Indian file lands well inside the admit zone.
What Actually Moves an Indian File at USF
Two levers matter more than the headline rate. First, meeting the exact GPA floor for the program — 2.75 for business and education, 3.0 for Nursing and doctoral — clears the initial screen. Second, an IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5 avoids a routing to conditional admission and preserves the F-1 timeline.
USF Yield and Class Size Signal
USF enrols about 3,074 students across four colleges with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which keeps international cohort sizes small and reviewer touch fairly close. See the ranking band for USF’s placement in national comparisons.
USA F-1 Student Visa Process for University of St Francis Students
Indian applicants admitted to University of St Francis travel on the F-1 student visa. Start visa work the same week your I-20 arrives so slotting at the Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, or Hyderabad consulate stays comfortable. USF’s Joliet campus is 35 miles south of Chicago, and O’Hare is the standard arrival airport.
The core steps are: pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 (about ₹33,075), complete the DS-160 form, pay the visa fee of $185 (about ₹17,483), and book a biometrics and interview slot. Financial proof at the consulate should cover the first year of tuition of about $29,520 to $39,966 (₹27.90 to ₹37.77 Lakhs) plus living expenses. After arrival, register with USF’s international student services within the SEVIS reporting window and complete on-campus orientation.
2026 update: STEM-designated USF programs qualify for the 36-month OPT extension; non-STEM MBA, Nursing, and Education tracks receive the standard 12-month OPT post-graduation.
Tips and Application Checklist for University of St Francis
The following tips and steps are drawn from Indian-applicant patterns at University of St Francis and from the official USF Graduate Admission Requirements page. They mix decision-shaping insight with a timeline-anchored action list.
- File 10 to 12 weeks early: credential evaluation alone often takes 4 to 6 weeks at WES or ECE.
- Target Fall (August) for placement: STEM OPT recruiting cycles align with Fall intake, not Spring.
- Book IELTS or TOEFL first: the 6.0 or 79 floor unlocks direct admission and avoids conditional routing.
- Frame the MBA essay around work outcomes: USF’s 2.75 GPA floor gives reviewers room to weigh experience.
- Request transcripts 8 weeks before deadline: Indian universities can be slow to issue sealed sets.
- Line up sponsor bank statement early: the affidavit and one year of expenses drive I-20 speed.
- Confirm your program’s GPA floor: Nursing and doctoral tracks apply the 3.0 bar strictly.
- Book SEVIS and DS-160 the day I-20 arrives: Mumbai and Hyderabad slots move fast in June and July.
USF admissions run rolling, no application fee, and a modest English floor, which makes the timeline the real constraint for Indian applicants rather than the paperwork itself. File early, land the IELTS or TOEFL score first, and target Fall to align with placements — the rest of the file follows a predictable sequence.
University of St Francis Admissions: Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the primary intake at University of St Francis for Indian students?
Ans. Fall (August) is the primary intake because most programs, F-1 processing, and orientation cluster here; Spring (January) and Summer (May) modules are available on rolling admission but carry fewer program options.
Ques. Does University of St Francis charge an application fee for Indian applicants?
Ans. No. USF charges no application fee for online submissions through its own portal. The only mandatory outflow before enrolment is the $550 (about ₹51,975) tuition deposit at I-20 stage.
Ques. What are the minimum IELTS and TOEFL scores at University of St Francis?
Ans. IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 79. PTE Academic 54 and Duolingo 105 (UG) or 115 (PG) are also accepted for direct admission.
Ques. Is GRE or GMAT required for the USF MBA?
Ans. No. The MBA waives GRE and GMAT when the applicant meets the 2.75 GPA floor plus two years of professional experience. Test scores are only used to substitute for the experience requirement.
Ques. What GPA does University of St Francis require for graduate admission?
Ans. Most business, management, health administration, education, and social work master’s programs need a 2.75 on the US 4.0 scale, roughly 60 to 65 percent Indian equivalent. Nursing (MSN), Ed.D., and DNP need 3.0.
Ques. Which credential evaluation service does University of St Francis accept?
Ans. Any NACES-approved evaluator, most commonly WES, ECE, or IEE. Social Work applicants must use a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) evaluation instead.
Ques. How long does University of St Francis take to release an admission decision?
Ans. Complete files typically hear back within two to four weeks. USF reviews rolling, so submitting well before the module deadline reduces the risk of a decision landing after your F-1 slot booking.
Ques. Does University of St Francis offer conditional admission to Indian students?
Ans. Yes. Applicants without a test score or below the direct-admission floor are automatically considered for conditional admission with on-campus English before core coursework begins.
Ques. What financial documents does USF need for the I-20?
Ans. A completed affidavit of support, sponsor bank statement covering one year of tuition and living costs, passport copy, and the $550 (about ₹51,975) tuition deposit. The I-20 issues after these are cleared.
Ques. Can Indian applicants skip the English test at University of St Francis?
Ans. Only through two pathways: an English-medium US bachelor’s, master’s, or two completed US college semesters; or completion of a CEA, ACCET, or EnglishUSA-accredited English program. India is not on the country-based exemption list.
Ques. What scholarships does University of St Francis offer international undergraduates?
Ans. USF awards institutional scholarships up to $25,000 (about ₹23.63 Lakhs) per year to qualifying first-year and transfer international applicants. SAT or ACT scores strengthen scholarship candidacy even when they are optional for admission.
Ques. What is the STEM OPT status of University of St Francis programs?
Ans. STEM-designated programs qualify for the 36-month OPT extension after the initial 12-month OPT. MBA, Nursing, and Education tracks are typically non-STEM and receive the standard 12-month OPT.


















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