Admit rate has ranged 44%–78% over the last 5 years — notably volatile, though the latest figure above (41%) falls outside that window. 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.
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster anchors Jesuit values in a highly practical, health-sciences-focused education within a close-knit Pennsylvania campus. Its 41% acceptance rate reflects a selective approach for students committed to fields like nursing, where small classes and direct clinical training are the norm. While the average net price of $42,478 is a significant investment, it feeds into strong outcomes, with median earnings reaching $86,881 a decade after entry.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
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
1,280
In-state tuition
$32,933
Out-of-state tuition
$32,933
Top Majors
Nursing, Radiologic Tech, Sonography
Retention Rate
81%
Graduation Rate
69%
Student Body Size
1,548
Annual Cost After Aid
$33,565
Avg Early-Career Salary
$69,731
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$86,881
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.0×
Median debt at graduation
$25,500
Graduation rate
69%
First-year retention
81%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
79%
Pell (lower-income) share
55%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
18%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other$42,682
Biology, General$25,774
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.
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster's acceptance rate is approximately 41% (Lancaster, PA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster cost?
At Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster, the average net price (after aid) is about $42,478 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster enrolls approximately 1,280 undergraduate students.
Where is Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster located?
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster is located in Lancaster, PA.
Admissions
Saint Joseph's Lancaster campus maintains an accessible admissions profile, with an 81% first-year ([6]). The middle 50% of admitted students boast weighted GPAs between 3.39–4.11 and SAT scores of 1190–1350 ([8]). While , 86% of enrollees completed advanced coursework in high school ([8]).
Demographics: Draws primarily from the Northeast, with 89% acceptance rate for 10,631 applicants ([4], [9])
Transfer Friendly: Actively recruits transfers, though specific rates aren't publicly detailed ([5])
The Lancaster campus specializes in healthcare education, with nursing, radiologic technology, and sonography as top majors ([15]). Programs blend Jesuit liberal arts with accelerated clinical training ([16]).
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.
Standout Programs: 9% of 2024 graduates studied pharmacy/pharmaceutical sciences ([18])
Class Experience: Students praise small class sizes and accommodations for dietary restrictions ([17])
With 1,548 students ([24]), the Lancaster campus fosters a supportive atmosphere. The historic downtown location provides access to arts and clinical rotations ([22], [23]).
Community Vibe: Described as 'close-knit' with strong faculty-student engagement ([21])
Philadelphia Connection: Main campus events and resources remain accessible ([19])
Local Flavor: Students balance studies with exploring Lancaster's farm-to-table food scene ([22])
Saint Joseph's Lancaster merges Jesuit values with hands-on healthcare training in a small-city setting. Its clinical programs deliver strong ROI—nursing graduates outearn peers by 50% ([25], [26])—while maintaining the mentorship-focused culture Jesuit schools are known for ([16], [21]). The campus's integration with Lancaster's medical community gives students early professional connections ([22], [23]).
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