A Catholic University Where You Can Reach for Saint Francis University is a small, private, liberal arts institution in the Catholic, Franciscan tradition. Founded by Franciscan Friars in 1847, Saint Francis University is the oldest Franciscan college/university in the United States. Located in rural Loretto, Pennsylvania, SFU enrolls approx. 1,700 undergraduate students and 700 graduate students and is the alma mater for over 13,000 living alumni.