DeSales University — ROI, Cost & Payback
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.)
DeSales University's 9.8-year payback ranks #781 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 39% of them, and #80 of 169 in Pennsylvania.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $31,643/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $126,572 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $61,295 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $12,935/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,788 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 9.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $132,128 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on DeSales University's own numbers. Net price $31,643 × 4 years = $126,572 total. Median earnings $61,295 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $12,935 a year of premium. $126,572 ÷ $12,935 = 9.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $132,128. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do DeSales University students graduate with?
A median $25,788 in federal loans among completers, or 42% of the $61,295 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of DeSales University students graduate?
72% finish their degree. Spread the $126,572 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $175,794 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is DeSales University expensive compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Its $31,643 net price runs $9,902 above the $21,741 median across the 169 Pennsylvania colleges we profile, or $39,608 more across the full degree.