DeSales University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. It enrolls 2,128 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
60/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes74
Value17
Affordability20
Selectivity55
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 77.1%, DeSales University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
77.1%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1090 – 1260
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
27 – 28
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether DeSales University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↓
0.2 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending DeSales University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $31,643 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$31,643
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
24%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
64%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$46,800
Room & Board (on-campus)
$13,800
Room & Board (off-campus)
$9,800
Books & Supplies
$1,485
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,477
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,954
Total Cost of Attendance
$62,745
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$24,007
$30,001 – $48,000
$25,400
$48,001 – $75,000
$26,096
$75,001 – $110,000
$29,982
Over $110,000
$34,878
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,53810%percentile
$7,67025%percentile
$25,788Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$31,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $21,705
↓ $4,083
No Pell $19,500
↓ $6,288
Dependent students $20,500
↓ $5,288
Independent students $19,000
↓ $6,788
Female students $20,500
↓ $5,288
Male students $19,500
↓ $6,288
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,500, less than completers ($25,788), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
60% of full-time students who enrolled at DeSales University graduate within six years, and 82% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
60%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
82%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered DeSales University earn a median of $61,295 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$61,295
Earning > $25K
83%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$52,500
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$57,800
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$49,800
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$54,800
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$56,200
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $5,300, about 9% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
What this means:
Moderate return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$1.9 of median earnings 10 years out. Compare carefully against your funding plan.
Who Studies Here
DeSales University is home to 2,128 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
2,128
Part-Time
11%
First-Generation
30%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 68.1%1,449
Hispanic 16.2%345
Black 5.7%121
Asian 5.4%114
Other 2.6%56
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at DeSales University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbCenter Valley, Pennsylvania
Housing
Mostly residential1,160 beds on campus
Adult Learners
14%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
DeSales University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
48 distinct programs across
16 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at DeSales University is 11:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
11:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$188M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$79,575
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
133 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
14
11%
$100,519
Associate Professors
45
34%
$86,392
Assistant Professors
65
49%
$73,196
Instructors
9
7%
$58,980
Pros & Cons of DeSales University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how DeSales University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
High published cost of attendance before aid
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, DeSales University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about DeSales University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about DeSales University.
Is DeSales University hard to get into?
DeSales University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 77.1%.
What is the acceptance rate at DeSales University?
DeSales University has an acceptance rate of 77.1%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for DeSales University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at DeSales University scored between 1090 and 1260 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for DeSales University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at DeSales University scored between 27 and 28 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does DeSales University cost?
The average net price after aid at DeSales University is $31,643 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is DeSales University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $61,295 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $31,643 per year. That's roughly 1.9x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is DeSales University known for?
DeSales University is best known for its programs in Nursing, Business Administration, Allied Health Diagnostic. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do DeSales University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering DeSales University are $61,295, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is DeSales University accredited?
Yes. DeSales University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend DeSales University?
DeSales University enrolls 2,128 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at DeSales University?
DeSales University graduates 60% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is DeSales University a public or private college?
DeSales University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is DeSales University located?
DeSales University is located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania.
What programs does DeSales University offer?
DeSales University offers 48 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Business Administration, Allied Health Diagnostic.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at DeSales University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at DeSales University is 11:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Pennsylvania
Other colleges in Pennsylvania share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Allied Health Diagnostic
Health Professions
Business Administration
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