Franciscan University of Steubenville

Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Roman Catholic university located in Steubenville, Ohio. Founded and sponsored by the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. It provides degrees across fields such as theology, philosophy, business, education, nursing, and the sciences. The university is widely associated with its strong emphasis on Catholic theology, evangelization, and campus ministry, as well as its summer conferences and study abroad programs. Students who are seeking a faith-centered education within a liberal arts framework are often drawn to Franciscan University of Steubenville for its integration of academics and religious life.

Franciscan University of Steubenville was founded in 1946 after Bishop Anthony John King Mussio invited the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular to establish a Catholic college in Steubenville, Ohio, to serve returning World War II veterans and local students. Originally named the College of Steubenville, the institution began in downtown Steubenville before moving to a larger hilltop campus overlooking the city. It received regional accreditation in 1960 as enrollment expanded. During the 1970s, under the leadership of President Michael Scanlan, the college strengthened its Catholic identity, revised its curriculum, and expanded academic programs. The institution was renamed the University of Steubenville in 1980 and officially became Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1986. Over subsequent decades, Franciscan University of Steubenville developed graduate programs, expanded campus facilities, and gained national recognition within Catholic higher education.