DeSales University vs. SU

Should I go to DeSales University or Shenandoah University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if DeSales University or SU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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DeSales University vs. Shenandoah University comparison
DeSales University Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
DeSales University Shenandoah University
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Overview

DeSales University SU
Location Center Valley, PA Winchester, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 2,991 4,260
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #262 #537
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website desales.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DeSales University SU
Tuition (In State) $41,100 $33,790
Tuition (Out of State) $41,100 $33,790
Room & Board $13,500 $11,230
Avg Net Price $29,104 $26,143
Avg Grant Aid $27,824 $23,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

DeSales University SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,662 2,296
Admitted 2,826 1,845
Acceptance Rate 77.2% 80.4%
Enrolled % 18% 25.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 19/26
SAT Range 1100/1280 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

DeSales University SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

DeSales University SU
Graduation Rate 69% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,100 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $258

Diversity

DeSales University SU
% Men 34% 32%
% Women 66% 68%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 75% 59%
% Black 4% 11%
% Hispanic 12% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 13%

Students

DeSales University SU
% In-State 66% 52%
% Out-of-State 34% 48%

Campus

DeSales University SU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shenandoah University is larger than than DeSales University based on total student enrollment (4,260 students vs. 2,991 students)

DeSales University vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DeSales University or SU?

  • DeSales University is 21.6% more expensive to attend than SU for in-state tuition ($41,100.00 vs. $33,790.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.6% higher at DeSales University than Shenandoah University ($41,100.00 vs. $33,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shenandoah University than DeSales University ($26,143 vs. $29,104)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 20.2% lower than costs at DeSales University ($11,230 vs. $13,500)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at DeSales University as Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 18.6% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($27,824 vs. $23,467)

DeSales University vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DeSales University or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or DeSales University .

  • The average SAT score at DeSales University (1054) is 49 points higher than at SU (1005)
  • Incoming DeSales University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at SU (22)
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at DeSales University (3.39)
  • SU has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than DeSales University (77.2%)

DeSales University vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DeSales University or SU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SU and DeSales University.

  • The graduation rate at DeSales University is higher than Shenandoah University (69% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from DeSales University earn on average $2,800 more per year than SU graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $48,300)
  • Shenandoah University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than DeSales University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • SU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than DeSales University graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More DeSales University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/