Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Eastern University #1150 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,449 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Eastern University in the 31.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Eastern University sits in the 29.1 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Eastern University's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across Azimuth's value pillars. The institution's strongest comparative advantage comes from graduates who earn about $6,449 less than similar students at comparable institutions relative to peers.
Azimuth ranks Eastern University #1150 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania, Eastern University enrolls roughly 2,404 undergraduates. Retention stands at 65.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 54.0%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts–focused institution. Eastern University performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Eastern University #1049 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,449 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Eastern University in the 31.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in business and related fields — Business represents the dominant program family — aligns with solid career outcomes and employer demand in the Philadelphia region. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Eastern University sits in the 61.9 percentile for access and the 28.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 41.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 36.5% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body with meaningful economic diversity. Mobility outcomes, placing the institution in the 7.7 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, suggest that graduates move into stable career pathways, though long-term earnings growth patterns vary by field of study.
Eastern University's published cost of attendance is $55,001. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $26,557, families in the lower-middle range pay around $22,232, middle-income families pay about $23,373, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $25,963, and higher-income families pay roughly $32,353. Azimuth ranks Eastern University #1014 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Eastern University meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through a combination of need-based grants, loans, and work-study. Most students receive some form of institutional aid, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,070; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Eastern University's median four-year earnings of $54,681, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Eastern University is a strong fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in PA. The university's program mix is concentrated in Business, representing 18% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $54,681, placing Eastern University in the 24.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $6,449 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 31.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 41.9% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 36.5% being first-generation students. The 39.9% Pell completion rate shows strong outcomes for this cohort. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 90.8% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business over other fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to PA's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $33,196.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Eastern University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
39 graduates
Marketing
5 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
48 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
8 graduates
Psychology, General
31 graduates
Eastern University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private nonprofit university serving the Philadelphia region. Teacher Education is the largest program with 52 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Nursing, Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, and Psychology, General.
Across 19 programs serving roughly 308 students annually, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with the institution's professional focus. The highest-earning programs cluster in business and applied fields where graduates enter the workforce directly.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $90,697 four years after enrollment, followed by Business Administration at $60,237, Communication and Media Studies at $58,371, Psychology, General at $47,539, and Teacher Education at $46,736. The concentration of strength in Business — accounting for 18% of graduates — reflects the institution's positioning as a career-oriented private university where students pursue direct pathways into professional employment.
Eastern University's program portfolio emphasizes applied professional preparation over research-intensive or graduate-school-dependent pathways. The dominant program families in Business and Education align with stable labor-market demand in accounting, finance, management, and related fields where four-year earnings reflect immediate workforce entry.
For context on how these program families align with national wage trends and hiring demand, see the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/).
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Biola University Similar quality tier (#31669 ranked) | CA | 74% | $56,778 | #31669 | Compare |
Beloit College Similar quality tier (#31674 ranked) | WI | 63% | $53,260 | #31674 | Compare |
Spring Arbor University Similar quality tier (#31154 ranked) | MI | 52% | $51,732 | #31154 | Compare |
Hampton University Similar quality tier (#31153 ranked) | VA | 62% | $59,159 | #31153 | Compare |
Carson-Newman University Similar quality tier (#31151 ranked) | TN | 90% | $48,382 | #31151 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Eastern University's published cost of attendance is $55,001. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $26,557, families in the lower-middle range pay around $22,232, middle-income families pay about $23,373, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $25,963, and higher-income families pay roughly $32,353.
Azimuth ranks Eastern University #1014 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Eastern University meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through a combination of need-based grants, loans, and work-study. Most students receive some form of institutional aid, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,070; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at Eastern University's median four-year earnings of $54,681, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Eastern University earn median 4-year earnings of $54,681, placing Eastern University in the 24.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,449 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Eastern University in the 31.1 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Eastern University #1049 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Eastern University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Teacher Education is the largest program with 52 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $46,736, representing 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 48 students earning $60,237 four years after enrollment, while Nursing and Psychology, General round out the institution's major offerings with 39 and 31 graduates respectively.
These programs anchor Eastern University's career outcomes and reflect the institution's focus on fields with direct pathways to stable employment and measurable financial returns.
