Students at La Salle University earn significantly more than similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting strong value-added performance that places the university in the top quartile nationally.
Graduates achieve reliable financial outcomes with particularly strong results for low-income students, backed by solid graduation rates and excellent loan repayment performance.
La Salle University ranks among the stronger private institutions nationally for long-term financial outcomes, with graduates earning a median of $67,416 ten years after enrollment. Located in Philadelphia, this small Catholic university serves about 33% Pell Grant recipients and 37% first-generation students while maintaining solid graduation rates and strong earnings performance. What distinguishes La Salle is its ability to deliver earnings that significantly exceed expectations—graduates earn roughly $14,473 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the top quartile nationally for this key value-added metric.
The university's strength lies in professional programs, particularly nursing, business, and accounting, which combine to create reliable pathways into stable, well-paying careers. As a "Selective Achievers" institution, La Salle demonstrates strong outcomes for the students it enrolls, with low-income graduates earning about $52,300 at the ten-year mark. The combination of a supportive small-college environment, urban location advantages, and programs aligned with employer demand makes La Salle a solid choice for students seeking both personal attention and professional preparation.
La Salle University's program portfolio centers on professional fields that lead directly to stable careers in the Philadelphia region. Nursing represents the university's strongest combination of scale and outcomes, with 87 Adult Health Nursing graduates earning a median of $70,642 ten years out, making it both a popular choice and the program with the highest aggregate return. This reflects the strong demand for healthcare professionals in the greater Philadelphia area and La Salle's established reputation in nursing education.
Business programs form the core of La Salle's enrollment, with Digital Marketing being the largest single program at 91 graduates, though with more moderate early-career earnings around $41,565. Accounting Technology provides a more specialized pathway with 56 graduates earning about $56,415, while Banking and Financial Support Services offers another business-focused option with graduates earning approximately $55,512. These programs reflect La Salle's practical approach to business education, emphasizing skills and credentials that translate directly into employment opportunities.
The relatively narrow range of top-performing programs—concentrated in nursing and business fields—suggests La Salle has developed particular expertise in professional preparation rather than trying to excel across a broad liberal arts spectrum. This focused approach appears to serve students well, as evidenced by the strong earnings outcomes and the university's ability to consistently deliver returns that exceed expectations for graduates across these core program areas.
La Salle University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $67,416 ten years after enrollment. More importantly, graduates earn about $14,473 more than similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting one of the stronger "earnings beyond expectations" performances among private universities. This earnings advantage places La Salle in the 77th percentile nationally for return on investment, indicating that the university consistently delivers financial value that exceeds what families might expect based on its profile.
The university's strongest returns come from its professional programs. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both a high-enrollment and high-earning field, with 87 graduates earning a median of $70,642 ten years out, making it the program with the highest aggregate return. Digital Marketing enrolls the most students at 91 graduates, though with more moderate early earnings around $41,565. Accounting Technology graduates see solid returns at $56,415 median earnings, while Banking and Financial Support Services rounds out the core business offerings with graduates earning about $55,512. These programs reflect La Salle's focus on practical, career-oriented education that translates directly into stable employment and competitive salaries in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
La Salle University's affordability varies significantly by family income, following typical private university patterns. Low-income students pay about $18,702 annually after aid, which represents reasonable value for a private institution, while middle-income families see net costs around $21,016 per year. Higher-income families pay closer to $26,278 annually, reflecting the university's need-based aid strategy that concentrates financial support on students with the greatest need.
Debt levels are manageable relative to the earnings outcomes graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt is $25,000, which aligns well with La Salle's median graduate earnings of $67,416. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $24,368, a moderate level that reflects many families' choice to contribute directly to their student's education costs. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, and about 77% of borrowers are successfully repaying their loans, indicating that graduates generally find their debt sustainable given their post-graduation earning power.
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Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
