
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Jesuit Catholic university located in San Francisco, California, United States. USF was founded in 1855 as St. Ignatius Academy, a one-room schoolhouse along Market Street in what later became downtown San Francisco. The university is committed to offering a daring and dynamic liberal arts education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. USF values cura personalis, being people for others, and diversity in all its forms—cultural, political, and spiritual. The university welcomes students from all faiths and religious affiliations and offers programs that bring people together.
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The University of San Francisco is a Jesuit Catholic university
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a Jesuit Catholic university located in San Francisco, California, United States. Founded in 1855, USF has a rich history and is committed to offering a dynamic liberal arts education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. The university's mission is to empower its students, faculty, staff, and community partners to create a more just and humane world. This is achieved through a focus on social justice, community engagement, and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community.
USF's main campus, known as "The Hilltop", is situated on 55 acres of land between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. The campus is divided into the Lone Mountain and lower campus, with the university's traditional motto, "Pro Urbe et Universitate" (For the City and University), reflecting its close ties to the city and county of San Francisco. USF also has satellite campuses in downtown San Francisco, Orange County, Sacramento, San Jose, and Santa Rosa.
As a Jesuit university, USF values cura personalis, or care for the whole person, including their mind, body, and spirit. The university encourages intellectual pursuits while also recognising the importance of spiritual exploration and social service. Mass is available but not required, and students from all faiths or no religious affiliations are welcomed and supported.
The University of San Francisco offers a wide range of academic programmes, with 59 majors across one college and four schools. USF graduates have a median annual income that is 67% higher than the national average for graduates from four-year schools, and the university is ranked highly for its diversity and inclusivity. The university community is made up of individuals from various racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds, creating a rich and vibrant environment for learning and personal growth.
USF's Jesuit Catholic identity is an integral part of its character and mission. The university is governed by a board of trustees, which includes the university president, who is specifically responsible for articulating and advancing the Jesuit Catholic nature of the institution. This unique identity shapes the educational experience at USF, combining academic excellence with a commitment to social responsibility and the betterment of the world.
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Less than half of the undergraduate student body are Catholic
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a Jesuit Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. USF was founded in 1855 as St. Ignatius Academy and started as a one-room schoolhouse. The university's main campus, nicknamed "The Hilltop", is located on 55 acres of land between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. USF has satellite campuses in downtown San Francisco, Orange County, Sacramento, San Jose, and Santa Rosa.
While USF is a Jesuit Catholic university, less than half of its undergraduate student body are Catholic. The university community includes students from diverse religious backgrounds, including Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Protestant faiths, as well as those who are not affiliated with any religious group. USF embraces this religious diversity and welcomes individuals from all faiths or no religious affiliations.
As a Jesuit university, USF is guided by certain core principles and values. These include respecting everyone, serving others, nurturing the whole person (mind, body, and spirit), and building a more humane and just world. Jesuit priests are known for being both scholars and public servants, combining learning with action to bring about positive change. Mass is available at USF but is not mandatory, and the university encourages students to explore their own spiritual journeys, regardless of their religious affiliation.
USF values cura personalis, or care for the whole person, recognizing that each individual's mind, body, and spirit deserve equal attention and consideration. The university promotes academic excellence and critical thinking while also fostering a supportive and inclusive community. USF encourages its students to engage with the world, address social issues, and work towards creating a more equitable and just society.
In addition to its academic and spiritual focus, USF emphasizes social service and community engagement. The university's mission statement reflects this commitment: "We seek to live USF’s mission by nurturing a diverse, ever-expanding community where persons of all races and ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, genders, generations, abilities, nationalities, occupations, and socioeconomic backgrounds are honored and accompanied." USF offers a wide range of clubs and organizations, as well as community-engaged learning courses, that allow students to explore their interests and passions while contributing to the broader community.
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Mass is available but not required
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a Jesuit Catholic university located in San Francisco, California, United States. USF was founded in 1855 as St. Ignatius Academy and has been a Jesuit university ever since. The University's Jesuit Catholic identity is rooted in the vision and work of St. Ignatius.
While USF is a Jesuit Catholic university, it is committed to diversity and inclusivity. The University welcomes students and faculty from all backgrounds and encourages the exploration of different faiths and spiritual journeys. USF values cura personalis, or care for the whole person, including their mind, body, and spirit. The University also emphasizes the importance of social service and community engagement, reflecting its mission to create a more humane and just world.
In keeping with its Jesuit roots, USF offers Mass to its community. However, attendance is not mandatory. Students and faculty are free to choose whether or not to participate in religious services. This approach aligns with USF's commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive community that respects different faiths and spiritual paths.
The University of San Francisco's approach to Mass and religious observance reflects its Jesuit values. Jesuit priests are known for their dedication to scholarship and service, and USF embraces this ethos by providing spiritual opportunities while respecting individual freedom of choice. USF's Mass offerings are available to those who wish to participate, fostering a sense of community and spiritual growth for those who voluntarily attend.
By making Mass available but not required, USF strikes a balance between its Catholic identity and its commitment to diversity. This approach allows individuals to explore their faith and spiritual paths while also engaging with people from different backgrounds and beliefs. This inclusive approach enriches the University's cultural and spiritual landscape and fosters a more comprehensive understanding and acceptance among its community members.
In conclusion, while the University of San Francisco is a Jesuit Catholic university, it embraces diversity and respects the freedom of its community members to choose their spiritual paths. The availability of Mass as an option, rather than a requirement, exemplifies USF's commitment to creating an inclusive and nurturing environment that values the whole person, including their unique spiritual journey.
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The university values cura personalis, being people for others, and diversity
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a Jesuit Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. USF was founded in 1855 as St. Ignatius Academy and has since dedicated itself to offering a daring and dynamic liberal arts education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. The university's Jesuit Catholic identity is rooted in the vision and work of St. Ignatius.
USF values three core principles: cura personalis, being people for others, and diversity. Cura personalis is the idea of caring for the whole person, including their mind, body, and spirit. USF believes in nurturing the intellectual pursuits of its students, but also recognises that there is more to a person than what they learn in the classroom. USF's commitment to cura personalis is reflected in its small class sizes, where professors get to know their students beyond their academic interests.
The second principle, being people for others, is a reflection of the Jesuit value of serving others. USF encourages its students, faculty, and staff to be persons for and with others, promoting the common good and addressing inequities. This value is put into practice through USF's community engaged learning requirement, where students work with neighbours to address social needs in the local community.
Finally, USF values diversity in all its forms, including cultural, political, and spiritual diversity. The university strives to create an inclusive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities are honoured and respected. USF's commitment to diversity is evident in its student body, which includes individuals from various races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
USF's values of cura personalis, being people for others, and diversity are integral to its mission of educating hearts and minds, pursuing learning as a lifelong endeavour, and advancing excellence in teaching and service. These values shape the university's culture and community, fostering an environment that nurtures the whole person, encourages service to others, and celebrates diversity.
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The university is committed to educating hearts and minds
The University of San Francisco (USF) is a Jesuit Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1855 as St. Ignatius Academy and has since dedicated itself to offering a daring and dynamic liberal arts education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.
USF encourages students to explore, engage, and improve the world, striving to create a more humane and just world. This is reflected in their mission statement: "We seek to live USF’s mission by nurturing a diverse, ever-expanding community where persons of all races and ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, genders, generations, abilities, nationalities, occupations, and socioeconomic backgrounds are honored and accompanied." The university welcomes students from all faiths or no religious affiliations and offers programs that bring people of different faiths together.
USF's commitment to educating hearts and minds is also evident in their emphasis on social justice and community engagement. The university requires students to participate in community-engaged learning courses that address social needs both locally and globally. Students are encouraged to explore social issues in a deeper, more connected way through living-learning communities, where they enroll in a common set of courses and live together in a residential setting.
The university also values academic excellence and prepares students for success in their future careers. USF offers small class sizes and professors who know their students' names and care about their holistic well-being. The university helps students develop critical thinking, clear communication, effective collaboration, and problem-solving skills that are valuable in the professional world.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the University of San Francisco (USF) is a Jesuit Catholic university. It was founded in 1855 as St. Ignatius Academy by the Jesuits.
The University of San Francisco has three core values: cura personalis, being people for others, and diversity in all its forms. They also value social service as much as professional success and strive to create a more humane and just world.
The acceptance rate of the University of San Francisco is 51%.











































