Moravian University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 54.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 59/100 · Below Average Value
Moravian University earns a 59 ROI score (Below Average Value)--squarely mid-pack, with notable strengths and notable weaknesses. The standouts are completion (71.7%, 81 sub-score) and repayment (84.7% three-year repayment, 85 sub-score)--both exceptional and indicators of a school whose students finish and stay current on loans. Sticker tuition is steep at $53,500, but average net price drops to $30,670 thanks to substantial discounting; total four-year cost lands around $122,680. Median earnings of $42,600 at six years grow to $61,860 by year ten--decent for the Lehigh Valley region. Median debt of $26,793 produces a $284/month payment, a 0.629 debt-to-earnings ratio (44 sub-score), and a 9.8-year payback period (62). The picture is a school that retains and graduates students well but where outcomes for non-nursing majors don't justify the private-college premium. The strong repayment rate suggests families are paying loans on time--evidence of either disciplined borrowing or family financial backing--rather than that earnings are exceptional.
Moravian University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $53,500/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $53,500/yr |
| Average net price | $30,670/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $122,680 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,860 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,793 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $284 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 71.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,949 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Moravian University is $53,500/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $30,670/year, or roughly $122,680 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $24,609/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $34,834/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,793 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $284 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $61,860 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.63 - 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 | $24,609 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $28,271 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,390 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,595 |
| $110,001+ | $34,834 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families at $0-$30,000 pay $24,609 net (~$98K over four years). $30,001-$48,000 pay $28,271--an inverted bracket where the second tier pays more than the first; this likely reflects need-based aid that phases out steeply between brackets. Pell-eligible students should run the calculator carefully and consider Penn State or East Stroudsburg as much-cheaper public alternatives.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
$48,001-$75,000 households pay $26,390 (lower than the $30-48K bracket, another inversion) and $75,001-$110,000 pay $30,595. Total four-year cost ranges $106K-$122K. The two inversions in the bracket structure are unusual and suggest a discounting strategy that targets specific income ranges. Middle-income families should not assume they'll pay the published average and should run individual scenarios.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $34,834 (~$139K over four years). At full pay, Moravian competes with Lehigh, Lafayette, and Muhlenberg in the Lehigh Valley--all stronger ROI options for high-income families. Moravian's appeal at this price point is the smaller community and Moravian-tradition affiliation rather than dollar value.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Moravian University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $88,293 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $63,844 | C |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $64,503 | D |
| Psychology | $55,931 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $50,397 | D |
| Accounting | $76,422 | C+ |
| Economics | $74,527 | C+ |
| Sociology | $62,315 | F |
| Music | $41,962 | - |
| Computer Science | $52,133 | - |
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
Nursing is the standout: 117 graduates and a B+ grade. First-year earnings of $82,585 climb to $88,293 by year four against $27,000 median debt (0.327 ratio). Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network absorb graduates strongly. This is the clearest high-confidence ROI path at Moravian and substantially elevates the institutional median earnings.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business management is the second-largest cohort (56 graduates) with a C grade. First-year earnings of $41,179 grow to $63,844 by year four against $27,000 debt--a 0.656 ratio. Reasonable but not exceptional outcomes; the small-private premium isn't fully recouped. Students considering this should price against Penn State Lehigh Valley or East Stroudsburg first.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
Health sciences pulls 47 graduates with a D grade. First-year earnings of $35,991 climb to $64,503 by year four against $27,000 debt (0.75 first-year ratio). Year-four earnings are strong, suggesting many graduates use the credential as a launch to nursing, PA, or graduate health programs. Students should plan that pathway before committing--terminal-degree outcomes are weaker.
Psychology
Psychology enrolls 44 graduates with a D grade. First-year earnings of $33,399 against $27,000 debt produces a 0.808 ratio. As at most schools, this program functions best as a stepping stone to graduate work; the bachelor's alone significantly under-earns the private-college cost. Students should plan the graduate pathway clearly.
English Language and Literature
English produces 25 graduates with a D grade. First-year earnings of $27,135 against $27,000 debt produces a 0.995 ratio--essentially break-even on year one. Without teaching certification or graduate school, this credential under-earns the private-school cost. Pennsylvania has strong public alternatives for English majors.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 84.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 83.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 87.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 54.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 530-630 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 540-655 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 24-29 |
| Enrollment | 1,949 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 31.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,295 |
Moravian admits 54.2% of applicants--genuinely selective. SAT mid-ranges of 530-630 math and 540-655 reading and ACT 24-29 indicate solid academic preparation. The combination of selectivity and 71.7% completion is consistent: Moravian admits prepared students and helps them finish. Students with stats in the upper end of the mid-range get strong consideration for merit aid, which can meaningfully reduce the published net price.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Moravian's peer set (Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, Albright College, St. Francis College, Lake Forest College, Southern Nazarene University) reflects its small-private-religious heritage. Among these peers, Moravian's 71.7% completion rate is at the high end. Albright College and Lake Forest College have similar profiles. Lake Forest delivers slightly stronger long-run earnings; Moravian's 9.8-year payback compares favorably with most peers. None of these is a high-ROI standout--they're all small private colleges where the value proposition is small classes and personal attention, not headline dollar value.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moravian University (this school) | 59 | $30,670 | $61,860 |
| Lake Forest College | 61 | $28,673 | $61,825 |
| St. Francis College | 57 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Southern Nazarene University | 55 | $22,084 | $54,951 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
Moravian fits Lehigh Valley and broader eastern Pennsylvania students who value a small-private experience with strong nursing or business programs. Enrollment of 1,949 keeps things small. Pell rate of 31.9% reflects a reasonably economically diverse student body. The school's strongest student outcomes cluster in nursing (B+ grade, 117 graduates), economics, and accounting. Students drawn to psychology, English, sociology, fine arts, or public health face structurally weaker outcomes despite the strong completion rate--the cost of a private liberal-arts experience is not recouped by these majors' earnings.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Moravian University is mixed. At $30,670 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $61,860 ten years after entry - a payback period of 9.8 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include a 71.7% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $26,793 against $61,860 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.