La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 96.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 73/100 · Fair Value
La Salle University scores 73 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. The institution is a De La Salle Brothers (Christian Brothers) Catholic university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with 1,953 enrolled students and a net price of $19,409. The sub-score profile shows genuine strength in earnings outcomes -- earnings premium (84) and payback period (85) -- against weaker scores in completion rate (55) and repayment rate (57). Only 57.1% of enrolled students graduate, and 75.6% of borrowers are reducing principal at three years. The combination of strong earnings for completers but poor completion and repayment rates produces a Fair Value verdict rather than Strong Value. The program array is wide and spans from B+ to D. Registered Nursing is the standout: 125 graduates, $84,400 year-one, $100,679 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.320 (ROI grade B+) -- breaking the $100k four-year threshold. Computer Science (17 grads, $70,783 year-one, B) and Finance (60 grads, $56,485 year-one, C+) contribute strong outcomes in smaller cohorts. Social Work (21 grads, D, DTE 0.887), Psychology (45 grads, D, DTE 0.835), and Biology (21 grads, D, DTE 0.869) are the weakest programs by the ROI metric. La Salle's Philadelphia location is a genuine asset for healthcare, education, and business employment markets.
La Salle University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $37,800/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $37,800/yr |
| Average net price | $19,409/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $77,636 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,416 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $45,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 57.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,953 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at La Salle University is $37,800/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $19,409/year, or roughly $77,636 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $16,545/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,190/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $67,416 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.55 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,545 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,393 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,557 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,263 |
| $110,001+ | $27,190 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 income bracket pay $16,545 net price per year at La Salle -- approximately $66,180 over four years. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $17,393. At $16,545-$17,393 per year in Philadelphia, La Salle delivers strong geographic access to one of the nation's major metropolitan healthcare and business markets. Low-income nursing students at this net price achieve a compelling return; low-income students in humanities or social science programs face the same outcome constraints as higher-income peers, amplified by limited financial cushion.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $20,557 per year; the 75001-110000 bracket pays $21,263 -- only a modest $700 increase between these two brackets, suggesting La Salle's aid structure is relatively flat through the middle-income range. At $20,000-$21,000 per year, La Salle is competitive with other Philadelphia-area Catholic universities in net price.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $27,190 per year -- approximately $108,760 over four years. At this price, the case for La Salle hinges almost entirely on nursing, CS, or finance as the degree pathway. The 57.1% completion rate and D-grade outcomes in several large programs mean higher-income families should conduct program-specific due diligence before choosing La Salle over Philadelphia-area public alternatives like Temple University.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at La Salle University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $100,679 | B+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $89,087 | C+ |
| Marketing | $68,227 | C |
| Accounting | $83,892 | C+ |
| Psychology | $49,216 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,165 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $61,347 | D |
| Nutrition Sciences | $55,765 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $80,900 | C |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $65,759 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is La Salle's defining program: 125 graduates, $84,400 year-one, $100,679 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.320 (ROI grade B+). Breaking $100,000 in four-year median earnings puts La Salle Nursing in the upper tier of regional nursing programs. Median debt of $27,000 is fully covered within the first year at $84k earnings. Philadelphia's major hospital systems -- Jefferson, Penn Medicine, Temple Health, and Children's Hospital -- provide both clinical placements and post-graduation employment for La Salle nursing graduates.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance has 60 graduates with $56,485 year-one and $89,087 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.451 (ROI grade C+). The C+ grade reflects a moderate debt load against year-one earnings that are competitive but not exceptional for a Philadelphia private. The four-year trajectory to $89,087 shows strong earnings growth and reflects access to the Philadelphia and New York financial markets. Students targeting finance careers in the Delaware Valley corridor will find La Salle a viable starting point.
Psychology
Psychology has 45 graduates with $32,348 year-one and $49,216 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.835 (ROI grade D). Median debt of $27,000 against $32k year-one earnings creates an immediately difficult financial situation. The D grade accurately reflects the structural gap between psychology undergraduate earnings and the cost of an La Salle degree. Psychology at La Salle is primarily a pre-graduate-school pathway; students without a clear graduate education or clinical career plan should consider the implications of starting with $27k in debt before entering a master's or doctoral program.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 68.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 75.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 76.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 96.6% |
| Enrollment | 1,953 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 35.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,355 |
At 96.6%, La Salle is effectively open-enrollment. SAT and ACT data are not reported by the Scorecard. As with other near-open admissions institutions, the relevant filter is completion, not admission. La Salle's nursing program likely has its own prerequisite and capacity-based screening that is more selective than the institutional admit rate implies. Students admitted to La Salle's nursing or engineering programs face meaningfully better completion odds than students entering less structured programs.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
La Salle's Scorecard peers include Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, Albright College, The College of Saint Scholastica, Valparaiso University, and Benedictine University. ROI scores for these specific peers are not available in current files. Within the Philadelphia Catholic university market, La Salle competes with Saint Joseph's University, Cabrini University, and Neumann University for similar student profiles. La Salle (ROI 73) benefits from the Jesuit-adjacent De La Salle mission network and Philadelphia placement advantages. The completion rate and repayment rate are the metrics that most limit La Salle's competitive positioning relative to peer institutions with stronger retention records.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Salle University (this school) | 73 | $19,409 | $67,416 |
| The College of Saint Scholastica | 74 | $27,846 | $65,934 |
| Valparaiso University | 72 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| Benedictine University | 65 | $22,313 | $63,446 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
La Salle University admits 96.6% of applicants and enrolls 1,953 students in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. SAT and ACT score ranges are not reported by the Scorecard. The Pell grant rate of 35.1% indicates meaningful lower-income enrollment. La Salle serves a predominantly regional Philadelphia student population in a De La Salle Catholic tradition emphasizing service and community. Students pursuing nursing, CS, or business in the Philadelphia metropolitan market, or who are drawn to the Brothers of the Christian Schools campus culture, are the clearest fit. The 57.1% completion rate requires direct attention: students should investigate what supports are available and what the specific completion rates look like in their intended program.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
La Salle University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $19,409 per year leads to $77,636 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $67,416 a decade out. The payback period of 6.7 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates.
Median debt of $25,000 against $67,416 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.