At $30,465/yr net price, DeSales University graduates earn $61,295/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $27,295/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $30,465 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $121,860 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,295/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$27,295/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,788 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,193/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,265/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,683/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,277/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,532/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
71.0% of students at DeSales University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
DeSales University gives you a solid but uneven return. The median graduate earns more than $60,000 ten years out, the 71% graduation rate means most of you finish, and the four-out-of-five retention rate shows most of you come back for a second year. Median debt sits just under the $25,788 mark, which is manageable against those earnings.
Nursing is the clear financial winner here. It pays around $19,000 more per year than marketing, the lowest-earning program on the list, while carrying similar debt. If you graduate as a registered nurse, your degree pays off fast in the Lehigh Valley, where hospital systems drive local hiring. Finance and accounting also land you above the median for most fields, with accounting graduates carrying slightly less debt than finance ones.
Marketing and human resources are where the math gets thinner. You still finish around $50,000 or below, and while the marketing debt load is the lowest of the five programs, the lower starting pay means it takes longer to feel ahead. Pick these majors knowing the return is real but slower.
The main risk is the sticker price. At over $30,000 a year net, four years is a large bill, and if you leave without finishing you carry cost with no degree to pay it back. The lower-earning majors amplify that risk.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $11,000 less per year than a family over $110,000. That gap makes DeSales far more affordable at the bottom of the income scale. This school fits you well if you want nursing or a numbers-heavy business degree. If you are set on marketing or HR and paying near full price, run the debt math carefully first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DeSales University worth the cost?
DeSales University can be worth it if you pursue high-paying programs like allied health or nursing, which produce graduates earning $99,000-$104,000 annually. However, with a $30,465 net price and average earnings of $61,295, many graduates struggle to justify the cost compared to cheaper alternatives.
What are the best paying majors at DeSales University?
Allied health diagnostic programs and nursing lead DeSales' salary outcomes, with graduates earning $99,000-$104,000 per year. Business administration graduates earn around $79,000, while finance majors make about $58,000 annually.
How much debt do DeSales University students graduate with?
DeSales graduates carry a median debt of $25,788, which is manageable for nursing and allied health majors but challenging for lower-earning programs. The debt load becomes problematic when paired with the school's below-average overall earning outcomes.
Does DeSales University have good job placement after graduation?
DeSales has a 71% graduation rate, suggesting some students struggle to complete their programs. While specific job placement data isn't available, the strong earning potential in nursing and allied health programs indicates good career prospects in those fields.