McKendree University vs. DeSales University

Should I go to McKendree University or DeSales University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McKendree University or DeSales University 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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McKendree University vs. DeSales University comparison
McKendree University DeSales University College 3 College 4
McKendree University DeSales University
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Overview

McKendree University DeSales University
Location Lebanon, IL Center Valley, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,960 2,991
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #607 #262
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mckendree.edu desales.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McKendree University DeSales University
Tuition (In State) $32,020 $41,100
Tuition (Out of State) $32,020 $41,100
Room & Board $11,590 $13,500
Avg Net Price $22,431 $29,104
Avg Grant Aid $24,145 $27,824
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

McKendree University DeSales University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,332 3,662
Admitted 1,594 2,826
Acceptance Rate 68.4% 77.2%
Enrolled % 26.5% 18%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/28 23/29
SAT Range 871/1277 1100/1280
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

McKendree University DeSales University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

McKendree University DeSales University
Graduation Rate 54% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $240 $268

Diversity

McKendree University DeSales University
% Men 46% 34%
% Women 54% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 75%
% Black 14% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 12%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 6%

Students

McKendree University DeSales University
% In-State 48% 66%
% Out-of-State 27% 34%

Campus

McKendree University DeSales University
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

  • DeSales University is larger than than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (2,991 students vs. 1,960 students)

McKendree University vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McKendree University or DeSales University?

  • DeSales University is 28.4% more expensive to attend than McKendree University for in-state tuition ($41,100.00 vs. $32,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.4% higher at DeSales University than McKendree University ($41,100.00 vs. $32,020.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McKendree University than DeSales University ($22,431 vs. $29,104)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McKendree University are 16.5% lower than costs at DeSales University ($11,590 vs. $13,500)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McKendree University as DeSales University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 15.2% larger than aid received McKendree University ($27,824 vs. $24,145)

McKendree University vs. DeSales University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at DeSales University (1054) is 48 points higher than at McKendree University (1006)
  • Incoming DeSales University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at McKendree University (22)
  • Accepted freshman DeSales University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at McKendree University (3.38)
  • DeSales University has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than McKendree University (68.4%)

McKendree University vs. DeSales University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McKendree University or DeSales University? 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 DeSales University and McKendree University.

  • The graduation rate at DeSales University is higher than McKendree University (69% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from DeSales University earn on average $2,800 more per year than McKendree University graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $48,300)
  • McKendree University students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than DeSales University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $26,000)
  • McKendree University graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than DeSales University graduates. ($240 vs. $268)
  • More DeSales University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 58%)

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