Admit rate has ranged 77%–82% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
DeSales University is a small, Catholic liberal arts school in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley that combines rigorous academics with a tight-knit community vibe. Known for its strong health professions and business programs, DeSales offers a personalized education with a 77% acceptance rate and a suburban campus that feels like a retreat. The university prides itself on affordability, with nearly all students receiving financial aid, and boasts solid graduation rates for a school of its size.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,128
In-state tuition
$46,800
Out-of-state tuition
$46,800
Acceptance Rate
77%
Campus Housing Cost
$14,200/year
Most Popular Majors
Health Professions, Business
Student-Faculty Ratio
12:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
70%
Avg Financial Aid Package
$39,597
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$61,295
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.9×
Median debt at graduation
$25,788
Graduation rate
72%
First-year retention
83%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
71%
Pell (lower-income) share
40%
First-generation share
30%
Endowment / student
$49,678
Financial health
2.6 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$66,852
Finance and Financial Management Services$58,673
Accounting and Related Services$51,392
Human Resources Management and Services$50,231
Marketing$47,260
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
93
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
27°F
Annual rain
48.7"
Annual snow
19.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
43
Scholarly works
795
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.7%
Bottom → top quintile
19%
From bottom quintile
4%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at DeSales University?
DeSales University's acceptance rate is approximately 77% (Center Valley, PA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for DeSales University?
Admitted students at DeSales University typically score 1090–1260 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does DeSales University cost?
At DeSales University, the average net price (after aid) is about $31,643 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend DeSales University?
DeSales University enrolls approximately 2,128 undergraduate students.
Where is DeSales University located?
DeSales University is located in Center Valley, PA.
Admissions
DeSales University maintains a moderately selective admissions process with a 77% acceptance rate, admitting roughly 3 out of every 4 applicants. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1090-1260 on the SAT or 25 on the ACT, though the university is Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight.. With 3,977 applicants in a recent cycle, DeSales enrolled about 2,172 students, suggesting a YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. rate just over 50%. The admissions process is holistic, with interviews sometimes required, and the university emphasizes accessibility—there's no application fee.
DeSales offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across 40+ programs, with particular strength in . The curriculum blends liberal arts with professional preparation, featuring small class sizes and a . Popular majors include nursing, business administration, and criminal justice, while unique offerings like TV/film and theatre programs leverage the university's performing arts center. Some students note that certain majors could expand their course offerings, but praise the faculty's accessibility and mentorship.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$42,682
Biology, General$42,235
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other$38,289
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
health professions (nursing, physician assistant studies) and business
Life at DeSales balances Catholic traditions (weekly Mass, service opportunities) with typical college vibes—47% of students live on campus in housing that costs ~$14,200/year. The suburban 550-acre campus, nestled among rolling hills, hosts 50+ clubs, from esports to campus ministry. Students report feeling exceptionally safe (100% in Niche polls), and social life revolves around DII athletics (Go Bulldogs!), open-mic nights, and events like the DeSales Day carnival. With Allentown nearby, off-campus options abound, though many prefer the tight-knit campus community.
DeSales graduates 69% of students within 4 years (on par with national averages for private colleges), with rates rising to 70% at 6 years. Alumni often enter healthcare or business, though early-career salaries average $24,287—reflecting the prevalence of service-oriented roles. The university emphasizes career prep through internships (90+% participation in some majors) and a strong alumni network. Notably, Pell Grant recipients graduate at nearly the same rate (67%) as the overall student body, signaling strong support for lower-income students.
DeSales positions itself as a high-value private school, with 99% of undergraduates receiving financial aid and an average grant award of $17,431. After aid, the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to ~$30,524/year (including $14,200 for room/board). The university meets 70% of demonstrated need on average, though 78% of students still take loans. Merit scholarships (averaging $15,162) reward strong academics, while payment plans and work-study help bridge gaps. For context: total COA before aid is $59,000, slightly below comparable Pennsylvania privates.
DeSales carves a niche as a career-focused Catholic university that avoids the austerity of some faith-based schools. Its PA program (with a cadaver lab) and nursing simulations rival larger institutions, while the ACCESS program provides tailored support for students with learning differences. The campus—equal parts serene and spirited—hosts a professional-grade theater yet still feels like a community where professors know your name. For students seeking a mid-sized school with Division II sports, robust aid, and Philadelphia/New York proximity, DeSales delivers without the cutthroat pressure of elite colleges.
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