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DeSales University
Center Valley, PA
DeSales University is a private Catholic university located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. Established in 1965, the university is named after Saint Francis de Sales, a 16th-century bishop and philosopher known for his teachings on divine love and spirituality. DeSales University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its four colleges - the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Science and Healthcare Professions, the College of Business, and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.
As a Catholic university, DeSales is deeply committed to providing a holistic education centered on academic excellence, ethical leadership, and a strong sense of community. The university's academic programs feature a strong foundation in the liberal arts, with a focus on critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving skills. Students at DeSales have the opportunity to pursue a variety of majors, including business, healthcare, education, psychology, performing arts, and more.
DeSales University offers a vibrant campus life with numerous opportunities for student engagement and personal development. The university provides various clubs, organizations, and athletic teams for students to partake in, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie. The campus is also home to state-of-the-art facilities such as the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, a fully-equipped science center, a modern fitness center, and a beautiful library. Additionally, DeSales is located in close proximity to the city of Allentown, offering students easy access to cultural events, internships, and career opportunities.
DeSales University is a private university located in Center Valley, PA and set in a suburban environment. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 78%. The freshman retention rate at DeSales University is 81% and the six-year graduation rate is 71%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
Here are some latest information on important things to consider about DeSales University.
Quick Facts
2,155
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
78%
Acceptance Rate
$45,000
Tuition
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
71%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most important data you should know about admission policy and requirements at DeSales University.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,857 in 2024. DeSales University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 37% and ACT scores 3%. 5% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 48% between 1,200 and 1,399, 38% between 1,000 and 1,199, 7% of the students between 800 and 999, and 2% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 13, 73 between 24-29 and 13 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2024 was 26 and the average GPA was 3.46. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into DeSales University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 605 and an average SAT Math score of 594.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 1. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is July 1.
78%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for DeSales University was 81% in 2024, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 71%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school enrolled 2,929 students.
That year, the institution had 26.3% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 2,155, 1 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 108.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 803 male and 1,478 female full-time students in 2024, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality. 104 full-time graduate men and 302 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at DeSales University.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 103, while the number of Black American students was 120. 308 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 44 identified with more than one race. There were also 48 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about DeSales University estimated tuition fees.
In 2024, tuition amounted to $45,000 for all full-time domestic students. As DeSales University is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2024 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,800.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to give about $1,711 for books and supplies during their time at DeSales University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
At DeSales University, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $13,800.
| Tuition | $ 45,000 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,800 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,711 |
| Total Expense | $ 60,511 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial support in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for finishing your studies. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at DeSales University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 349 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $33,879.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
1,312 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 1,356. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $3,267,500, and state $2,312,107. The students of DeSales University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $28,050,472, and external in the amount of $446,037.
$23,805
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
1,167 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2024. 319 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $3,267,500 while the state aid is $65,400. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $13,661,626. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $215,050 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2024, this ratio at DeSales University was 11:1. That means that there were 11 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 409 faculty members. This number included 159 male and 235 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at DeSales University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at DeSales University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some information about campus life at DeSales University.
It has a campus size of 550 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
This school has 60 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is National Society of Leadership & Success, followed by Campus Activities Board and Student Nursing Association. Other popular student organizations at this school are Special Olympics and Colleges Against Cancer.
If you have an interest in acting, there's a drama club you can be a part of. You have a passion for media and communication? DeSales University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At DeSales University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of DeSales University.
All in all, campus life at DeSales University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at DeSales University.
Career Counselling
At DeSales University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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DeSales University is located in Center Valley, PA.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 45,000 USD per academic year for DeSales University.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for DeSales University is 78%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for DeSales University is 81%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.