Prepare to Engage
Scranton has a rich tradition of fostering an experience in which students, both residential and commuter, get involved. Student Life is vibrant and varied, from ministries-based programs and leadership initiatives to student-run activities, clubs and organizations.
Events Calendar
Our students plan more than 900 events each year, creating a full campus calendar each and every week.
Living on Campus
You’re going to live comfortably here with options ranging from traditional residences for first-year students, to suite-style housing for sophomores, to apartments for juniors and seniors.
A 24/7 College Experience
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Clubs & Organizations
Students can choose from more than 80 active clubs and organizations—from Urban Beats Crew, to rugby, to Habitat for Humanity.
Center for Student Engagement#25
Best Campus Food
You're going to eat well here - in the Princeton Review’s 2023 list of “Best Campus Food,” The University of Scranton ranked No. 25 nationally.
170K
Community Service Hours
Each year, Scranton students serve 170,000 hours domestically and internationally, working with 120 non-profit organizations.
The Center For Service And Social Justice
Sports & Fitness
Scranton students are active—more than 1,500 are involved in recreational sports and intramurals and the University fields 23 intercollegiate teams at the NCAA Division III level.
Express Yourself
Our students are surrounded by the arts and a commitment to culture. Whether you’re a writer, musician, singer, actor or dancer, you’ll find ways to express yourself.
Take Part & Lead
Our students find may opportunities to develop leadership skills. Through experiences geared towards personal & professional development, they become capable, confident, lifelong leaders.
Leadership DevelopmentStudent & Alumni Perspectives
Scranton provides a lot of fun, healthy ways to take a break from studying. Activities and programs are prevalent on campus, and nearly all are student run. You can always find something to do, and if you can鈥檛 find it, the University will help you create it.
Bailey McLaughlin 鈥�21 (Occupational Therapy)
WHAT鈥橲 THE COOLEST THING YOU'VE DONE AT SCRANTON?
"When I was a sophomore I joined the then newly-created club lacrosse team. This year I was selected to be a captain of the team, which I greatly appreciated. Through the team, I have made multiple close friends and tons of memories on and off the field." - Chris Nevins '22, occupational therapy major from Staten Island, NY
I'm a super outdoorsy person and the Scranton area offers so much. Nay Aug Park is a beautiful park where you can hike, walk and bike. I love skiing at Montage Mountain (less than 20 minutes away) and Elk Mountain (just 40 minutes). When I'm not hiking or skiing, I'm often kayaking on the nearby Delaware and Lackawanna Rivers."
Jessica D'Aquila '18 (Secondary Education-English)
There are various opportunities around campus, ranging from weekly service opportunities to events like Safe Trick-or-Treat, and even domestic and international service trips. The service possibilities are endless.
Patrick Chapman '19 (Psychology/Counseling & Human Services)
I am so in love with this place and these people. The sense of community here is like no other community I have ever been a part of. I have not only developed as a student and a thinker but much more importantly, as a person.
Courtney Loughlin '19 (Counseling & Human Services)
Read about Courtney's service trip to Ecuador
鈥淭he University really encourages active participation, not just in clubs, not just in sports, but in every dynamic opportunity on campus. The possibilities for getting involved are many鈥攁nd they are immediately available, even as first-year students.鈥�
Christopher Kilner '16 (Biochemistry/Philosophy)
Learn More About Christopher
Campus Life
Diversity & Inclusion
The University community is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing it as an integral aspect of our Catholic and Jesuit identity, mission, and tradition. We recognize the dignity of each and every human person, to work together in building a truly just society, and to live lives of faith, hope and love.
Health & Wellness
Attention to wellness gives you a more positive outlook, which helps you to positively influence,others. A healthy, balanced life; it’s the way to a better education, a better career, a better you.
Campus Ministry
The Office of Campus Ministry is the heart and soul of our campus! Everyone is welcome at our spirit-filled masses and prayer services. Our amazing weekend getaways to our retreat center at Chapman Lake offer a break from studies, a chance to think about where you’ve been and where you’re going, and have fun with friends.
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The City of Scranton
Scranton is the 6th largest city in Pennsylvania and a vibrant college town, home to five colleges and universities. Students can take advantage of the many entertainment and recreational options of downtown Scranton and the surrounding area.
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The Electric City
Known as the Electric City鈥攚e were the first U.S. city to have an electric-powered streetcar鈥擲cranton today finds its energy from many other sources, namely our popular coffeehouses, eateries, festivals, minor-league sports teams and a well-known Office, Dunder Mifflin.
La Festa Italiana, held annually on Labor Day Weekend, is a 4-day celebration of culture, cuisine, and music that attracts over 100,000 people to downtown Scranton..
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Get Outdoors
Scranton is located in the Pocono Northeast, a scenic area and a mecca for outdoor activities, from hiking, biking and fishing to skating, skiing and snow tubing.
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Centrally Located
With major metropolitan areas as close as two hours away, students can pursue valuable internship opportunities with many of the world鈥檚 leading companies and organizations.
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Music in the Mountains
Not only is the Pavilion at Montage Mountain one of the premier music venues in Pennsylvania, it also has spectacular views with the surrounding mountains offering something of a spectacle.
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Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the AHL affiliates of the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins.
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SWB Railriders
Catch a game at PNC Field, a 10,000-seat minor league baseball stadium just five miles from campus. The field is home to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, a minor league baseball team of the Triple-A East and the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.
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Ski Montage Mountain
Montage Mountain ski area is located 8 miles from downtown Scranton. It has 140 skiable acres, 27 trails, two terrain parks, and one of Pennsylvania's longest snow tubing areas. With easy-going beginner terrain and the best expert slopes in PA, there's something for everyone.
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Broadway in Scranton
Presented in the historic Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, Broadway in Scranton has been bringing pre and post Broadway tours to Lackawanna County since its inception in 1959. See the best that Broadway has to offer in an intimate setting at a fraction of the cost.