At $21,409/yr net price, La Salle University graduates earn $67,416/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $33,416/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,409 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,636 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,416/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$33,416/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,702/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,978/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,016/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,009/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,278/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $111,992 | $89,598 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $84,100 | $41,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $72,510 | $179,718 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $70,642 | $26,909 |
| Marketing. | Master | $67,164 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $66,821 | $20,844 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $64,990 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $59,011 | $51,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $56,415 | $26,531 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $55,512 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
57.9% of students at La Salle University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
La Salle University gives you a middling financial return that leans heavily on which major you pick. The median graduate earns $67,416 ten years out against $25,000 in debt, so the typical outcome clears the loan without much strain. But that median hides a wide gap between programs, and the school's real weakness sits in its completion numbers.
Nursing is the clear winner. It pays more than any other program here and puts you into Philadelphia's dense hospital market, where La Salle sits within reach of major health systems. Accounting, finance, and computer science all land in the mid-$50,000s with similar debt loads, which makes them solid but not spectacular bets. Special education is the program to think hard about: it pays about $27,000 less per year than nursing while carrying the highest debt of the five. You can do that work, but go in knowing the math.
The biggest risk here is finishing at all. Fewer than 6 in 10 students graduate, and only about 69% return after their first year. Debt with no degree is the worst outcome in higher education, and those rates mean a real share of enrollees hit it. Price your risk of not finishing before you borrow.
The net price tiers are odd for a private school. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay less than middle-income families do, and roughly the same as families over $110,000. That flat structure means La Salle works best for lower-income families in nursing or the business majors, where aid closes the gap and the degree pays. If you're aiming at special education or you're unsure you'll finish, the numbers point you elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Salle University worth the cost?
La Salle University's value depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn strong salaries averaging $70,000-$112,000, while other programs show more modest returns given the $21,409 annual cost.
What is the return on investment for La Salle University graduates?
La Salle graduates earn a median of $67,416 ten years after graduation with typical debt of $25,000. The ROI is strongest for nursing and business programs, weaker for other fields.
Which La Salle University programs have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at La Salle offer the strongest earning potential, with graduates making $70,000-$112,000 annually. Business administration graduates average $84,100, while other programs show lower returns.
How much debt do La Salle University students typically graduate with?
La Salle students graduate with a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable for nursing and business graduates but may be challenging for lower-earning majors. The 58% graduation rate means many students don't finish their degrees.