Arcadia University
- Graduation Rate
- 65% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,336 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $29,466 F
- 72% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 14.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $14.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,588,401.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 43% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Arcadia University Matters
Arcadia University is a private university in Glenside, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,948
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts, Social Sciences
Why students choose Arcadia University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 80% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1065–1265. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $29,466 a year after grants and scholarships — 72% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,336 ten years after enrolling — 43% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 31% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.74 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 80%, Arcadia University welcomes a diverse range of students looking to pursue degrees in popular fields like Biology, Business, Psychology, and Education. This environment suits those who appreciate a balance of academic rigor and personal growth. Students here can expect a supportive community where they can explore their interests while preparing for future careers.
After graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $58,336 within ten years, which can give a solid foundation for starting their professional lives. This is a good benchmark as we think about financial outcomes. The cost of attendance is manageable, especially for those who qualify for financial aid, making it easier for students to focus on their studies rather than financial strain.
Looking at the numbers, the net price after aid is about $29,466, while the median debt stands at $27,000. This suggests that students can navigate their education without being overwhelmed by debt. Those who thrive here typically embrace a collaborative spirit and a desire for academic and personal development, setting themselves up for success both during and after their time at Arcadia.
Rankings
- #21 Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #22 Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #29 Best Online Education Programs in Pennsylvania
- #31 Best Biology Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #31 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Pennsylvania
- #34 Highest-Paying Colleges for Public Health
- #34 Best MBA Programs in Pennsylvania
- #36 Best Online Business Programs in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Arcadia University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Arcadia University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Glenside, Pennsylvania, Arcadia University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- SAT Average
- 1190
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1065–1265
- Full-Time Faculty
- 37%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,854
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 6,321
- Admitted
- 4,903
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Arcadia University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Arcadia University is $49,610, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,466. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $23,127 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $49,610
- Out-of-State
- $49,610
- Avg Net Price
- $29,466
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 61%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $23,127
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $25,388
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $25,978
- Family Income $110K+
- $34,339
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Arcadia University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Arcadia University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Arcadia University earn a median of $58,336, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,004
- 8 Years
- $54,111
- 10 Years
- $58,336
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.46x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (405)
- 60%
- 100% (405)
- 60%
- 100% (405)
- 60%
- 100% (405)
- 60%
How Arcadia Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Arcadia University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Arcadia University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $29,466/year ($117,864 total). Graduates earn $58,336 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,706,265 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,588,401 (14.5× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 65% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $117,864
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,706,265
- Net Return
- $1,588,401
- ROI Multiple
- 14.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $29,466
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Arcadia University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Arcadia University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.93%, well above the typical college. About 5.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $92,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.93%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 33.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $125,268
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-8,776,000
Top Programs
The fields Arcadia University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 13% $57,082 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 13% $33,796 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 12% $46,778 early-career
- Social Sciences 11% $42,549 early-career
- Psychology 10% $38,544 early-career
- Education 9% $48,503 early-career
- Health Professions 7% $120,271 early-career
- Communications 6% $35,271 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Arcadia University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Arcadia University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Glenside, Pennsylvania, Arcadia University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Arcadia University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Arcadia University is $49,610, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $29,466. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $23,127 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Arcadia University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Arcadia University earn a median of $58,336, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Arcadia University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Arcadia University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.93%, well above the typical college. About 5.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $92,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Arcadia University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Arcadia University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Arcadia University.
- Nazareth UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer73% grad $56,458 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · Close peer67% grad $59,986 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Trine UniversityAngola, IN · Close peer66% grad $57,165 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saint Edward's UniversityAustin, TX · Close peer63% grad $58,826 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Randolph-Macon CollegeAshland, VA · Close peer72% grad $58,448 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Shenandoah UniversityWinchester, VA · Close peer69% grad $58,433 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Arcadia University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Arcadia University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note