Students at Arcadia University benefit from strong financial responsibility outcomes, with graduates demonstrating excellent loan repayment performance and zero federal loan defaults.
The university's specialized academic programs and small-scale environment provide personalized attention in a competitive metropolitan market.
Arcadia University is a small private nonprofit institution in Glenside, Pennsylvania, that serves students seeking a more intimate college experience with specialized academic programs. While the university doesn't rank among the top performers nationally in terms of overall value metrics, it offers distinct advantages for students who thrive in smaller academic environments. The institution serves a moderate share of Pell Grant recipients at 28% and first-generation students at 31%, positioning it in the "Selective Achievers" mobility category.
Arcadia's academic portfolio includes standout programs in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, where graduates earn a median of $52,941 ten years after enrollment, significantly above the university's overall median of $58,336. The university also maintains strong programs in biology and psychology, which together represent a substantial portion of the graduate pipeline. With a 64% six-year graduation rate, Arcadia provides solid completion outcomes for students who choose to enroll.
As a small private institution in the competitive Philadelphia metropolitan area, Arcadia offers the benefits of personalized attention and specialized programming, though families should expect higher net prices typical of private universities. The university's location provides access to internships and career opportunities in one of the nation's major metropolitan regions.
Arcadia University's academic portfolio demonstrates the importance of program selection for career outcomes, with significant variation in earning potential across different fields of study. Artificial Intelligence stands out as the highest-earning program, with 33 graduates earning a median of $52,941, reflecting strong market demand for technical skills and the university's investment in emerging technology fields. This program represents the university's ability to develop specialized offerings that align with current workforce needs.
Biology and Psychology represent the university's largest programs by enrollment and total economic impact. Biology graduates 76 students annually with median earnings of $28,443, while Psychology enrolls 54 students earning around $32,439. These programs reflect Arcadia's strength in traditional liberal arts and sciences, though earnings outcomes are more moderate compared to the technology-focused artificial intelligence program.
The variation in outcomes across these three major programs illustrates both the opportunities and challenges at Arcadia. Students who choose programs aligned with market demand, particularly in technology and specialized sciences, can achieve strong financial returns. However, those in more traditional liberal arts fields should expect more moderate earnings and should carefully consider how their program choice aligns with their career goals and financial expectations. The university's small size allows for personalized attention across all programs, but students must be strategic about leveraging that advantage for career success.
Graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $58,336 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the national average for long-term earnings outcomes. While overall earnings performance is moderate, the university shows notable variation across academic programs, with some fields delivering substantially stronger financial returns than others. Students who choose programs aligned with market demand, particularly in technology and specialized sciences, tend to see better long-term earning potential.
The standout program financially is Artificial Intelligence, where 33 graduates earn a median of $52,941 early in their careers, reflecting strong demand for technical skills in the Philadelphia region and beyond. Biology represents the largest program by total economic impact, with 76 graduates earning around $28,443, while Psychology enrolls 54 students with median earnings of $32,439. These three programs demonstrate the range of outcomes students can expect, from moderate earnings in traditional liberal arts fields to stronger returns in emerging technology areas.
The university's location in the Philadelphia metropolitan area provides graduates access to diverse employment opportunities across healthcare, technology, finance, and education sectors. However, students should carefully consider program choice, as earnings outcomes vary significantly by field of study, and the overall institutional performance suggests that career success depends heavily on individual program selection and post-graduation career planning.
Affordability at Arcadia University reflects the typical cost structure of a small private institution, with net prices that require careful family financial planning. Low-income students pay approximately $18,744 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $21,027 per year. High-income families see net prices of about $31,115, which represents the full private university premium that many families expect when choosing smaller, specialized institutions.
The university's financial aid approach provides meaningful support for lower-income students, though net prices remain higher than public alternatives. Students typically graduate with federal loan debt of around $27,000, which is manageable given the institution's median earnings outcomes, though families should plan carefully for repayment. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $22,555, adding to the total family investment but remaining within ranges that many middle-class families can handle with proper planning.
What makes Arcadia's costs more sustainable is the strong loan repayment performance among graduates. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, and borrowers demonstrate above-average progress in paying down balances over the first several years after graduation. This suggests that while upfront costs are significant, graduates generally achieve sufficient earning power to manage their debt obligations successfully.
Arcadia University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
