Admit rate has ranged 54%–80% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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.
Moravian University, nestled in the historic steel town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a small liberal arts institution that trades cutthroat selectivity for a pragmatic, hands-on education. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio and a sprawling 85-acre campus, it offers a tight-knit community where over 70 majors—from a notable neuroscience program to a strong foundation in history and the arts—are taught with an eye toward real-world application. The vibe is unpretentious and supportive, a place where a 54% acceptance rate opens the door to a cohort that, a decade out, earns a median salary comfortably above the national average for four-year colleges.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
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
1,949
In-state tuition
$53,500
Out-of-state tuition
$53,500
Campus Size
85 acres
Graduation Rate
72%
On-Campus Housing
57%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Early Action Available
Yes
Median Earnings (10yr)
$61,860
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$61,860
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.0×
Median debt at graduation
$26,793
Graduation rate
72%
First-year retention
79%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
77%
Pell (lower-income) share
32%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
29%
Financial health
2.5 / 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$64,659
Business Administration, Management and Operations$40,821
Music$35,600
Fine and Studio Arts$35,060
Psychology, General$29,685
Sociology$26,353
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
3
Per 1,000 students
1.11
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
89
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
27°F
Annual rain
48.2"
Annual snow
19.7"
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
72
Scholarly works
1,432
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Moravian University?
Moravian University's acceptance rate is approximately 54% (Bethlehem, PA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Moravian University?
Admitted students at Moravian University typically score 1070–1285 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Moravian University cost?
At Moravian University, the average net price (after aid) is about $30,670 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Moravian University?
Moravian University enrolls approximately 1,949 undergraduate students.
Where is Moravian University located?
Moravian University is located in Bethlehem, PA.
Admissions
Moravian's admissions process is characterized by its accessibility, positioning it as a realistic target for a broad range of students. The university admits just over half of its applicants, a rate that has held steady and is described as 'less selective.' While the middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1070–1285, the school maintains a policy, making submission of SAT or ACT scores optional for undergraduate applicants. This policy underscores a process. The university also offers an Early Action option, with applications submitted between August 1 and November 15 receiving an admission decision and scholarship offer within two weeks. Notably, the early is significantly higher than the regular decision rate, highlighting a substantial advantage for students who apply early.
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.
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.
The academic experience at Moravian is defined by its scale and focus on foundational, interdisciplinary learning. With more than 70 majors and minors, the curriculum is expansive yet intimate, supported by a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Popular majors include Biology/Biological Sciences, Art/Art Studies, English, and Special Education, but the program structure often encourages crossing disciplinary lines. For instance, the study of history is bolstered by courses in economics, sociology, political science, geography, and psychology, reflecting a liberal arts ethos that builds connections between fields. Students and external reviews highlight particularly strong departments in history and neuroscience. The university also houses a dedicated theological seminary, adding a unique dimension to its academic community. This combination of breadth, personal attention, and integrated study aims to prepare students for dynamic careers and advanced study.
Life on Moravian's 85-acre campus is actively curated, with the Office of Campus Life explicitly tasked with cultivating a 'vibrant, inclusive, and engaged community.' The residential experience is nearly evenly split, with 57% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 43% living off-campus. The campus is described as 'small and pretty' by students, who note a generally friendly atmosphere. The university promotes a wide array of involvement opportunities, including community engagement, arts participation, and Greek life. Social media depictions show a typical day filled with study sessions, campus activities, and socializing. While the setting is self-contained, the historic city of Bethlehem provides a broader backdrop for exploration and engagement.
Moravian frames its success through a high 'career outcome rate,' reporting that 98% of graduates from the Class of 2025 (representing 55% of the class) were employed full-time, in graduate school, in service/military programs, or working as freelancers within a short time of graduation. Of those reporting, 74% were employed full-time. Longer-term federal data shows that the median earnings of students working and not enrolled 10 years after entry are above the midpoint for four-year colleges nationally. The university's six-year graduation rate for students who did not receive Pell Grants or subsidized loans has hovered between 73% and 76%. These figures suggest that Moravian graduates typically complete their degrees and transition into the workforce with solid earning potential.
Affordability is a central part of Moravian's messaging, supported by tools like a calculator and a stated commitment to distributing over $60 million annually in merit- and to traditional full-time undergraduates. The average net price after aid—the cost to students after grants and scholarships are applied—is a key figure for families. A significant majority of students (over 80%) receive financial aid, with the average aid package being substantial. The university also notes that is renewable each year as long as students maintain satisfactory academic progress and full-time status. This financial support structure is designed to make a private education more accessible and predictable over four years.
Moravian University stands out as a pragmatic choice in the liberal arts landscape. It doesn't chase the prestige of ultra-low ; instead, it offers a high-probability pathway to a small-college education with demonstrably strong outcomes. Its 10:1 faculty ratio ensures students are known, not just numbered, while its 85-acre campus provides a traditional collegiate setting in a city rich with history. The curriculum is both classic and connected, exemplified by interdisciplinary programs that layer economics and psychology onto historical study. Perhaps most importantly, Moravian delivers a clear return on investment: graduates leave with manageable debt (thanks to widespread aid) and enter the workforce earning median salaries that outpace the typical four-year college graduate. It's a community-focused, outcome-oriented institution that proves a mid-range selectivity can top-tier results.
Moravian University seal · sourceMoravian University | Moravian University · sourceExperience Moravian University in Virtual Reality. · sourceMU_Elevate_1080_H264 (Full Version) · source
