Eastern University
Eastern University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Eastern University at a Glance
Eastern University (EU) is a private Christian university located in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, United States. Eastern has additional campus locations in Philadelphia and Ripley, West Virginia. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs. Eastern University is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA), and is the parent institution of the Palmer Theological Seminary. While the university itself is affiliated with the ABCUSA, the student body, faculty, and…
1925
101 years old
8,729
2,500 undergrad · 6,227 grad
110
114 acres
Identity
Is Eastern University Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, Eastern University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,655 — 4% below average — while paying $26,662/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 55% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Eastern University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Eastern University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #112 of 163 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #6 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #112 | Eastern University | 27 | $26,662 | $51,655 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Eastern University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 15 in PA.
Best Programs at Eastern University
The highest-earning program at Eastern University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $22,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Eastern University earns $64,700, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $22,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $25,998 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,662/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,700 | $64,700 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,400 | $48,400 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,200 | $43,200 | $27,371 |
| Social Work | $31,800 | $31,800 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $26,700 | $26,700 | $30,651 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,200 | $26,200 | $26,598 |
| Psychology, General | $22,000 | $22,000 | $25,998 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Saint Davids, PA
- Student Body
- 2,404 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,662
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,655
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000