The University of Scranton (white text)
Bird's-eye view of the University of Scranton campus, featuring St. Thomas Hall, the Weinberg Memorial Library, and the flag commons.

Facts About Us

History

Founded in 1888 as Saint Thomas College by the Most Reverend William G. O’Hara, D.D., Scranton’s first bishop, Scranton achieved university status in 1938 and was entrusted to the care of the Society of Jesus in 1942.
More about our History.

Mission Statement

The University of Scranton is a Catholic and Jesuit university animated by the spiritual vision and the tradition of excellence characteristic of the Society of Jesus and those who share its way of proceeding. The University is a community dedicated to the freedom of inquiry and personal development fundamental to the growth in wisdom and integrity of all who share its life.

Accreditations

The University has earned accreditation from 16 different accrediting agencies, including recognition by the nation’s most prestigious bodies in the fields of business and management, nursing, computer science, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chemistry and counseling.

Students

Total student population, including undergraduate, adult, part-time and graduate students, is 4,672. 

Undergraduate Students 3,487
Men 1,457 (42%)
Women 2,030 (58%)

 

Primary States of Origin (Full-time Undergraduates from the USA)
Pennsylvania 42%
New Jersey 27%
New York 24%
Other 7%
Full-Time On-Campus Graduate Students 424
Men 154 (36%)
Women 270 (64%)

Academic Programs

Bachelor's Degree Programs 69
Master's Degree Programs 35
Minors 50
Doctor of Physical Therapy 1
Doctor of Nursing Practice 1
Doctor of Business Administration 1

Faculty

88% of Scranton’s instructional faculty hold doctoral or other terminal degrees in their fields. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. The average class size is 20 students. 

Full-Time Faculty
 281
Tenured Faculty
 175 (62%)

Alumni

There are more than 56,000 alumni worldwide.  
Visit the Alumni website at www.scranton.edu/alumni.

Campus

In recent years, the University has invested more than $295 million in campus improvements, including:

  • The Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., Athletics Campus, a $14 million, 11-acre home for the University’s soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, baseball and softball Division III NCAA teams, was dedicated in May 2018.
  •  In September 2015, Edward R. Leahy Jr. Hall, which houses the departments of physical therapy, occupational therapy and exercise science, was dedicated.
  • The Loyola Science Center was completed in two phases in 2011 and 2012. 
  • Pilarz and Montrone Halls, which house nearly 400 upperclass students and a fitness center, opened In 2011.

Location

Situated off Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Northeast region, The University of Scranton is easily reached by car and air. Driving time to New York City, Philadelphia and Syracuse is just two hours, with Boston and Washington, D.C., less than five hours away.
Learn about our location.

Library

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library holds 618,324 print and electronic volumes; 49,799 print and full-text online journal titles; and 213,402 full-text electronic books that users can read on smartphones, tablets and computers. It is the leading academic library in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

  • There are 100 computer workstations in the library, and iPads, Google Tablets and laptops are available for students to borrow.
  • The Reilly Learning Commons, the Pro Deo Room and the second floor are available 24/7.
  • Students may chat with a Librarian via phone, "Ask a Librarian," IM, or text. 
  • The Media Resources Collection holds 23,088 non-print items and provides access to 24,145 streaming media programs.
  • The University Archives and Helen Gallagher McHugh Special Collections houses the University's historical records, rare books, faculty publications, and other special collections.

Athletics

With the addition of indoor and outdoor men's and women's track and field, Scranton sponsors 23 NCAA Division III (non-scholarship) athletic programs – 11 for men and 12 for women. The University is a member of the Landmark Conference in 22 of the 23 sports it sponsors. The wrestling team competes as an independent. In addition, more than 1,600 students are involved in recreational sports and intramurals, including leagues, tournaments and weekend special events.
Visit the Athletics website.

Community Resources

Events Calendar:
www.scranton.edu/events

Events and Information Line:
(570) 941-7768

The Hope Horn Gallery presents art exhibits, hosts guest speakers and conducts gallery workshops with local school and community groups. For information, visit www.scranton.edu/gallery.

The University of Scranton Players produce theatrical works during the year in conjunction with the academic Theatre Program. Their productions run the gambit from classical to contemporary. For information visit thescrantonplayers.com.

Performance Music presents or performs an array of concerts, recitals, guest performances and masterclasses. Performances are open to the public and are free of charge.For information, visit www.scranton.edu/music.

The Schemel Forum, a not-for-credit continuing education program that had its beginnings in 2006 has evolved into a robust educational/cultural program that attracts educated adults from Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is a program that on the one hand permits the University to share its most valuable assets —its faculty—with the community and on the other, as one speaker noted, “brings the world to Scranton.”  For information, visit www.scranton.edu/schemelforum.

Costs

Tuition and Fees, 2021-22*
Undergraduate $48,062
Please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for details.
Graduate $965/credit
Room and Board, 2021-22*
Room and Board $16,090 

* For a complete breakdown of our tuition and fees, please visit the Tuition & Fees section of the Bursar website.

Finances FY2021-22

Budgeted Operating Revenue $238,721,464
Budget Operating Expenditures $238,721,464
Endowment
(Market value as of 5/31/21) 		 $282,234,887

Financial Aid for 2021-2022

For the 2021-2022 academic year, first-year students received more than $31 million in financial aid and scholarships, $24 million of which was provided by the University. Of the first-year student aid applicants who were enrolled for the fall 2021 semester, 99% were offered funding from University scholarships and need-based grants. The average financial aid package, not including parent and private loans, was $37,000.

There are full- and partial-tuition academic scholarships available, which are awarded on a merit basis, taking into consideration high academic achievement and standardized test scores.
Visit the Financial Aid website.

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