Despite the similar name, the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, is a separate institution from the Saint Francis university in Fort Wayne. It was founded by the Joliet Franciscan sisters and is a small Catholic university about 45 miles south-west of Chicago. Nursing, business, education and social work are the main areas.
Joliet, Illinois, United States
Official website: stfrancis.edu
Private Catholic Franciscan university
Joliet, about 45 miles from Chicago
Leach College of Nursing
$24,000 – $38,000
International students, undergraduate and graduate programmes
$12,000 – $15,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on stfrancis.edu before you apply.
BSN Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Health Administration
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
The Leach College of Nursing.
A Chicago commuter-rail link.
Small Catholic campus with personal advising.
Nursing graduates join hospitals across Joliet and the Chicago suburbs.
Business and health administration graduates work in Chicago-area companies and health systems.
F-1 graduates can apply for 12 months of OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Joliet is on the Des Plaines River, with the Rialto Square Theatre downtown and the old Joliet prison now open for tours.
Metra's Rock Island line runs from Joliet to LaSalle Street in the Chicago Loop, so internships and weekends in the city are realistic without a car.
Form I-20 issued by the institution
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
USF reviews applications on a rolling basis. Apply at least four months before the term so the I-20 and visa interview can be arranged.
Most programmes start in August and January. Some graduate courses run in eight-week terms with extra start dates.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from University of St. Francis (Joliet) first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Nursing, business administration, the MBA and health administration are popular. Undergraduate entry needs a secondary school diploma and TOEFL 71 or IELTS 6.0; graduate study needs a bachelor's degree.
USF awards merit scholarships to many undergraduates, and international students are considered. Graduate students should ask their programme about aid.
