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.

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.

The University has earned accreditation from 17 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.

• Our Accreditations
  • ABET
    Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
    Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
    American Chemical Society
    Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
    Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
    Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
    Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
    Council for Standards in Human Service Education
    Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
    Council on Rehabilitation Education
    Middle States Commission on Higher Education
    National Association of Boards of Examiners of Long Term Care Administrators
    National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
    National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
    Pennsylvania Department of Education
    Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing

The student population, including undergraduate, adult, part-time and graduate students, is approximately 6,034. About 86 percent of full-time freshmen live on campus.

85% of Scranton’s instructional faculty hold doctoral or other terminal degrees in their fields. The student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. The average class size is approximately 20* students. (*Average size undergraduate lecture sections fall 2011)

Scranton’s 45,042 graduates are all members of the Alumni Society, which has 20 clubs worldwide. Visit the Alumni website at www.scranton.edu/alumni.

Since 2003, we've invested more than $237 million in campus improvements, either completed or under way. The first phase of the new Loyola Science Center and a new apartment/fitness complex opened in the fall of 2011.  

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.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library contains 514,915 volumes and 17,498 non-print items. It is the leading academic library in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The library offers such electronic resources as an integrated online catalog, 144 Internet Index/Databases, 48,201 journals print and online, 21,481 full-text books online and 24/7 chat reference, as well as texting, and IM Ask-A-Librarian assistance. The entire building has wireless Internet connection. There are 88 Internet workstations and laptops loaned for use in the building. In the Pro Deo Room and 24-hour study space, 43 computers are available 24 hours a day. The University Archives and Special Collections houses University historical records, rare books, faculty publications and other special collections.

Scranton sponsors 18 NCAA Division III (non-scholarship) athletic programs — nine for men and nine for women. The University is a member of the Landmark Conference in 16 of the 18 sports it sponsors. The University is a member of the Empire 8 Conference in the sport of men’s golf and the Metropolitan Wrestling Conference in wrestling. In addition, more than 3,000 students participate each year in leagues, weekend special events and tournaments through the department of intramurals and recreational sports.

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 Players offer a variety of Academic Theatre Program-produced plays that are presented to the community at a nominal charge. For information, visit
www.scranton.edu/players.

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

The Schemel Forum is a program of participatory learning experiences aimed at cultivating the intellect and the imagination through discussion of classical texts and current policies, from the arts, history and philosophy to technology and theology. For information, visit www.scranton.edu/schemelforum.

Full-time Freshmen (2011-12)
94% receive financial aid

Average Freshman Aid Package (2011-12)
$23,523 (exclusive of parent and private loans)