DeSales University
- Graduation Rate
- 72% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,295 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $31,643 F
- 85% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 77% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.6 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $11.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,341,221.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 50% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why DeSales University Matters
DeSales University is a private doctoral / professional university in Center Valley, 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 Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 2,128
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose DeSales 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
Competitive — admits about 77% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1090–1260. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $31,643 a year after grants and scholarships — 85% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,295 ten years after enrolling — 50% above the typical college, against $25,788 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 92% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.73 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
DeSales University is a great fit for students looking for a supportive environment where they can pursue a variety of interests. With a student body of about 2,128, the school has an acceptance rate of 77%, making it accessible for many. Students here often dive into fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Psychology, which are some of the standout programs that align with today's job market.
After graduation, DeSales alumni see a solid earning potential, with a median income of $61,295 ten years post-degree. This figure is encouraging, especially as many students successfully find positions in their chosen fields. The affordability of the experience is also a plus, making it easier for graduates to step into their careers without overwhelming debt.
When it comes to cost, the net price after aid stands at $31,643, with a median debt load of $25,788. This financial layout means that students who manage their expenses can thrive without being buried under loans. Generally, those who succeed here are motivated individuals eager to engage with their studies and make the most of the resources available to them.
Rankings
- #12 Best Nursing Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #22 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #23 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Pennsylvania
- #23 Best Online Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania
- #23 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania
- #25 Best Online Business Programs in Pennsylvania
- #25 Best Online Education Programs in Pennsylvania
- #29 Best MBA Programs in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective DeSales 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 DeSales University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
DeSales University, located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,186. The graduation rate is roughly 72%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1186
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1090–1260
- ACT Range
- 27–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 41%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,905
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 3,662
- Admitted
- 2,826
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard DeSales University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 17% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 17%
- of admits enroll
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 DeSales University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at DeSales University is $46,800, 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 $31,643. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,007 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,788 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $46,800
- Out-of-State
- $46,800
- Avg Net Price
- $31,643
- Median Debt
- $25,788
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 64%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $24,007
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $25,400
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $26,096
- Family Income $110K+
- $34,878
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 DeSales 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 DeSales University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of DeSales University earn a median of $61,295, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $52,721
- 8 Years
- $60,995
- 10 Years
- $61,295
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.42x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (228)
- 56%
- 100% (228)
- 56%
- 100% (228)
- 56%
- 100% (228)
- 56%
How DeSales 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 DeSales University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, DeSales University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $31,643/year ($126,572 total). Graduates earn $61,295 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,467,793 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,341,221 (11.6× your investment). The median debt is $25,788, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 72% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $126,572
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,467,793
- Net Return
- $1,341,221
- ROI Multiple
- 11.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $31,643
- Median Debt
- $25,788
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 72%
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 DeSales University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
DeSales University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.68%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.6% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.68%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 19.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $134,235
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,919,662
- Investment Income
- $-13,237,742
Top Programs
The fields DeSales 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.
- Health Professions 31% $79,433 early-career
- Business & Marketing 21% $69,715 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $50,183 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 8% $29,017 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $41,024 early-career
- Psychology 6% $33,722 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $44,210 early-career
- Education 3% $39,121 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 DeSales 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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into DeSales University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
DeSales University, located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,186. The graduation rate is roughly 72%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend DeSales University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at DeSales University is $46,800, 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 $31,643. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,007 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,788 in federal student loans.
Is DeSales University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of DeSales University earn a median of $61,295, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does DeSales University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
DeSales University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.68%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.6% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is DeSales 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 DeSales University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does DeSales University offer Early Decision?
No. DeSales University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at DeSales University?
About 17% of admitted students choose to enroll at DeSales University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to DeSales University.
- Susquehanna UniversitySelinsgrove, PA · Close peer78% grad $61,723 earn 81% 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
- Nazareth UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer73% grad $56,458 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St Bonaventure UniversitySaint Bonaventure, NY · Close peer68% grad $57,214 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lewis & Clark CollegePortland, OR · Close peer73% grad $62,205 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights, OH · Close peer78% grad $62,860 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is DeSales 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 DeSales University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note