La Salle University
La Salle University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
La Salle University at a Glance
La Salle University is a private Catholic university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The university was founded in 1863 by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and named for St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle.
1863
163 years old
$65M
$64.7 million (2024)
3,285
2,346 undergrad · 917 grad
373
130 acres
Identity
Is La Salle University Worth It?
La Salle University offers moderate value at $19,409/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $67,416, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 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 97% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How La Salle University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #12 of 100 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #6 | Niagara University | 59 | $17,248 | $56,196 |
| #12 | La Salle University | 50 | $19,409 | $67,416 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of La Salle University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 11 in PA.
Best Programs at La Salle University
The highest-earning program at La Salle University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $68,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $21,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from La Salle University earns $68,900, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $21,800. 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. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,409/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 | $68,900 | $68,900 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,700 | $55,700 | $25,555 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $55,100 | $55,100 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $40,500 | $40,500 | $26,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,700 | $39,700 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,600 | $34,600 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $23,700 | $23,700 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $21,800 | $21,800 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA
- Student Body
- 1,953 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,409
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,416
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000