Est. Earnings (1yr)
$45,781
Est. from PA median (10 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,543
Est. from PA median (4 programs)

Analysis

Business programs in Pennsylvania show considerable variation, with top performers like Albright and Strayer exceeding $55,000 in first-year earnings while others cluster closer to the state median of $45,781. Based on comparable programs across PA, DeSales likely falls in the middle of this pack, with estimated earnings around that median and debt of approximately $26,543—figures that align closely with what you'd find at schools like University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown or Washington & Jefferson College.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 suggests manageable repayment, particularly for business graduates who often see steady salary growth in their first several years. However, the gap between these peer-based estimates and what top Pennsylvania business programs deliver is substantial—roughly $10,000 more annually. That difference compounds quickly over a career, which matters when you're evaluating whether DeSales' business education justifies its price point compared to alternatives in the state.

Since these figures are drawn from similar programs rather than DeSales' actual graduate outcomes, you'll want to dig into placement rates and employer connections specific to their business program. The 79% admission rate and solid SAT scores suggest a reasonably selective environment, but without concrete data on where DeSales business graduates actually land and what they earn, you're making an investment based on regional averages rather than proven institutional performance.

Where DeSales University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (22 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
DeSales UniversityCenter Valley$44,800$45,781*$26,543*
Albright CollegeReading$28,794$56,932*$55,634$33,500*0.59
Strayer University-PennsylvaniaTrevose$13,920$55,431*$59,763$56,517*1.02
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia$22,082$48,747*$60,375$27,000*0.55
Washington & Jefferson CollegeWashington$28,185$45,911*$59,080$26,085*0.57
University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownJohnstown$14,646$45,781*$51,789$26,625*0.58
National Median$47,506*$26,000*0.55
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At DeSales University, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 10 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.