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DeSales University

Center Valley, Pennsylvania 18034-9568

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Campus Vibe

Small & IntimateSuburbanPrivate

Known for health sciences

DeSales University is a private institution in Center Valley with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1199, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.1K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

71% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $61,295 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $30,465.

Established
1964
Motto
"Be Who You Are and Be That Well"
Mascot
Frankie the Bulldog
Type
Private university
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

283 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Visit

Plan Your Visit

79%Acceptance
1199SAT Avg
2,113Students
11:1Student:Faculty
71%Grad Rate
$61,295Earnings 10yr
$30,465Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

DeSales University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate78.6%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1199

Reading & WritingMid: 595
550650
MathMid: 575
540640

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 26
2428

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

78.6%

Trend

SAT Avg

1199

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$44,800
Room & Board$13,800
Books & Supplies$1,711
Total Cost of Attendance$59,409
Average Net Price$30,465
Median Debt at Graduation$25,788
Monthly Payment (10yr)$273

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$22,193
$30–48K$23,265
$48–75K$25,683
$75–110K$30,277
$110K+$33,532

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

36.1%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$20,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

14

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (73)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

81%

Mixed
  • 81% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
2,113
Gender Split
65% / 35%
Women / Men
First Generation
30%
Pell Grant Recipients
23%

Race & Ethnicity

White 70%
Black 6%
Hispanic 15%
Asian 5%
Two+ 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate71.0%
Freshman Retention80.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$52,721
10 Years$61,295

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#283
1
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Ice hockeyVolleyballBasketball earnedHoops earns

History & Fun Facts

  • History 20th century The entrance to Trexler Library at DeSales University in May 2017 At the request of Bishop of the Allentown Diocese, Joseph McShea, the Oblates of St.
  • Francis de Sales began planning for the new college in April 1962, and the charter for Allentown College of St.
  • Allentown College was fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools during the 1969–1970 academic year.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ABE Lehigh Valley9 mi
TTN Trenton-Mercer35 mi
PHL Philadelphia PHL47 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA256 mi · ~7h 24m drive
New York, NY73 mi · ~2h 7m drive
Hartford, CT164 mi · ~4h 44m drive
Providence, RI224 mi · ~6h 28m drive
Albany, NY168 mi · ~4h 51m drive
Syracuse, NY178 mi · ~5h 9m drive
Rochester, NY214 mi · ~6h 11m drive
Buffalo, NY243 mi · ~7h 1m drive
Philadelphia, PA42 mi · ~1h 13m drive
Pittsburgh, PA243 mi · ~7h 1m drive
Harrisburg, PA82 mi · ~2h 22m drive
Newark, NJ65 mi · ~1h 53m drive
Trenton, NJ40 mi · ~1h 9m drive
Southern (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Lehigh Valley (ABE)9 miles
Rental car
14 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
18 min$11-18
Trenton-Mercer (TTN)35 miles
Rental car
53 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
70 min$42-70

Deadline Calendar

DeSales University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

DeSales University — v2 Preview — TourStack