Students at Moravian University achieve earnings outcomes that place the institution in the top quartile nationally, with graduates consistently outperforming peers at similar institutions.
The university demonstrates particular strength in supporting low-income students toward strong financial outcomes, reflecting effective career preparation and alumni networks.
Moravian University is a small private nonprofit institution in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, that delivers strong long-term earnings outcomes despite higher costs. With graduates earning a median of $61,860 ten years after enrollment, the university places in the 83rd percentile nationally for earnings performance. What makes Moravian distinctive is its ability to combine the intimate scale of a small college with career-focused programs that translate into solid financial outcomes.
The university serves a moderately selective student body, with about 27% of students receiving Pell Grants and 29% being first-generation college students. While net prices run higher than many public alternatives—ranging from $26,159 for low-income students to $33,453 for higher-income families—graduates typically see strong enough earnings to justify the investment. Moravian's 71% six-year graduation rate reflects the supportive environment that small private colleges can provide.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Moravian demonstrates how smaller private colleges can deliver meaningful economic outcomes for the students they serve. The combination of personalized attention, career-focused programming, and strong alumni networks helps explain why graduates achieve earnings that place the university in the top quintile nationally, making it a viable option for families who prioritize both educational experience and long-term financial return.
Moravian University's program portfolio reflects a strategic focus on career-oriented fields that translate directly into employment opportunities. Nursing dominates both in scale and outcomes, with 118 graduates earning a median of $64,659 ten years out, making it the university's flagship program and primary driver of strong institutional earnings. This program benefits from high demand in healthcare markets and the university's clinical partnerships in the Lehigh Valley region.
Business Administration represents the university's second-largest program, graduating 59 students with median earnings of $40,821, providing solid middle-class career preparation for students entering management, finance, and entrepreneurship roles. Even smaller programs like Art History demonstrate Moravian's commitment to liberal arts education, with 20 graduates earning $35,060, showing that the university can prepare students for meaningful careers across diverse fields.
The concentration in nursing and business reflects Moravian's practical approach to higher education, emphasizing programs with clear career pathways and strong regional employer relationships. This focus helps explain the university's strong overall earnings performance and excellent loan repayment rates, as graduates enter fields with predictable hiring patterns and advancement opportunities.
Graduates of Moravian University achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that place the institution in the top quintile nationally for earnings performance. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $61,860, significantly outpacing many peer institutions and reflecting the university's focus on career-oriented programs. The university's loan repayment performance is particularly strong, with 87% of borrowers successfully repaying their federal loans, indicating that graduates generally earn enough to manage their debt obligations effectively.
Nursing stands out as Moravian's highest-return program, with 118 graduates earning a median of $64,659 ten years out, making it both the largest and most financially successful program. Business Administration, the second-largest program with 59 graduates, produces median earnings of $40,821, providing solid middle-class outcomes for students entering management and business roles. Even programs like Art History, while smaller in scale with 20 graduates, demonstrate the university's ability to prepare students for meaningful careers with median earnings of $35,060.
The university's strong earnings performance reflects its focus on practical, career-oriented education within a small college environment. Students benefit from close faculty relationships and personalized career guidance that helps translate academic preparation into professional success. This combination of intimate scale and career focus helps explain why Moravian graduates achieve earnings outcomes that consistently exceed those at many larger institutions.
Affordability represents Moravian University's most significant challenge, with net prices that place the institution in the 16th percentile nationally—meaning it costs more than most comparable institutions. Low-income students face annual net prices of $26,159, while middle-income families pay $27,277, and higher-income students see costs rise to $33,453. These figures reflect the reality of private college pricing, where even substantial financial aid leaves families with considerable out-of-pocket expenses.
Debt levels reflect this pricing structure, with typical graduates carrying $26,793 in federal student loan debt and families often supplementing with Parent PLUS loans averaging $38,018. The combined family borrowing can create substantial financial obligations that require careful planning and realistic income expectations. However, the university's 0% federal loan default rate suggests that most graduates do achieve sufficient earnings to manage their debt obligations, though the financial pressure is real.
What makes Moravian's affordability picture more manageable is the strong earnings outcomes that graduates achieve. With median ten-year earnings of $61,860, most borrowers can handle standard repayment schedules, and the university's excellent loan repayment rates indicate that the investment typically pays off over time. Families considering Moravian need to weigh the higher upfront costs against the strong career outcomes and personalized educational experience the university provides.
Moravian University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
