Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 69.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 71.0%
- Retention Rate
- 80.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $61,295
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,788
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 71.1%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $273/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $104,510 | $61,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $99,251 | $40,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $79,284 | $35,731 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,852 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $58,673 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $51,392 | $24,250 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $50,231 | $24,499 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $20,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $26,250 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $42,235 | $25,000 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $34,526 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $27,000 |
Outcomes Overview
DeSales graduates earn a median of $61,295 six years after graduation, which creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 42% given the typical debt load of $25,788. Monthly loan payments of $273 represent about 5% of gross monthly income for the median earner. The 97.2% employment rate shows strong job placement, and the Catholic university's connections to healthcare, business, and education fields in the Lehigh Valley region help graduates find work. While the earnings lag behind what you might see at larger research universities, the relatively low debt burden compared to many private colleges keeps financial stress reasonable. This represents an average return on investment for students seeking solid career preparation.