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DeSales University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Center Valley, PA · 2,128 students

The verdict

DeSales University charges a net price of $31,643/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $126,572. Graduates earn a median $61,295 ten years after entry, $12,935/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 9.8 years — a 20-year net return of $132,128, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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DeSales University's 9.8-year payback ranks #782 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 39% of them, and #80 of 169 in Pennsylvania.

Better ROI than 39% of US colleges#782 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$31,643
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$61,295
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
9.8 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
77%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
DeSales University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$31,643/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$126,572our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$61,295Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$12,935/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$25,788Scorecard, 2026
Payback9.8 yrsour math
20-year net return$132,128our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

DeSales University: frequently asked questions

Is DeSales University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. DeSales University charges $31,643/yr after aid ($126,572 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $61,295 ten years out — $12,935/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 9.8 years and returns $132,128 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a DeSales University degree take to pay off?
About 9.8 years. We divide the $126,572 four-year net cost by the $12,935/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does DeSales University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $31,643/yr — about $126,572 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does DeSales University compare to other Pennsylvania colleges?
It ranks #80 of 169 Pennsylvania colleges we track by payback. Its $61,295 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $31,643 net price is above the national median of $16,906.