Eastern University
Eastern University is a private nonprofit university in Saint Davids, PA ranked #1561 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of C+, enrolling about 1,978 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 93.6%. Students most often pursue Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing and Accounting and Related Services.
Academically, students benefit from a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, 70.6% first-year retention, and 56.0% six-year graduation. Peer cohorts and advising networks provide scaffolding that keeps newcomers anchored during demanding semesters.
Families typically invest $25,885, about $8,887 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -59.8%, roughly 145.1 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $41,580. That's about $2,108 below national results. It's a compelling fit for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Eastern University Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Eastern University graduates 56.0% of students within six years and keeps 70.6% of first-year students. Affordability earns a C+ compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Eastern University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $37,420 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,424 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $13,168 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $4,338 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $53,293 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 35.7% of Eastern University students receive Pell Grants — in line with the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $23,050 to $32,882 depending on family income. Use Eastern University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $23,638/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $32,882/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $41,580
- 10-Year Median Earnings $41,580
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $18,000
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 56.6%
- Employment Rate 82.3%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Eastern University graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Eastern University vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Eastern University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Eastern University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Eastern University graduates earn $41,580 median, the -59.8% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
- SAT Math Not reported
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACTNot required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 1,978
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 70.6%
- Graduation Rate 56.0%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 19:1
How to Get Into Eastern University
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Eastern University requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 93.6%, Eastern University is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 93.6% acceptance rate, Eastern University is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Eastern University undergraduates. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing, and Business Administration, Management and Operations draw the most students.
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods 17.0%
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing 15.4%
- Business Administration, Management and Operations 13.0%
- Psychology, General 5.9%
- Social Work 5.1%
- Mathematics 4.0%
See more majors
- Criminal Justice and Corrections 3.5%
- Criminology 2.9%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing $88,979
- 2. Accounting and Related Services $73,187
- 3. Business Administration, Management and Operations $67,797
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Marketing $61,936
- 5. Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries $51,838
- 6. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods $50,722
- 7. Social Work $47,205
- 8. Psychology, General $43,573
- 9. Communication and Media Studies $43,059
- 10. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities $42,823
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degree) $95,224
- 2. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $73,760
- 3. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degree) $61,276
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degree) $60,758
- 5. Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degree) $60,491
- 6. Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degree) $59,811
- 7. Education, Other (Master's Degree) $55,714
- 8. Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degree) $47,185
- 9. Urban Studies/Affairs (Master's Degree) $43,387
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research & Clinical Nursing grads earn $88,979—108% more than Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($42,823). Graduate: Health and Medical Administrative Services programs lead with $95,224 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Eastern University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degree, 58 graduates)
- Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 22 graduates)
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degree, 21 graduates)
- Social Work (Bachelor's Degree, 19 graduates)
- Mathematics (Bachelor's Degree, 15 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (34 programs)â–¼
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Psychology, General
- Social Work
- Mathematics
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness
- Marketing
- English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- History
- Communication and Media Studies
- Biology, General
- Bible/Biblical Studies
- Accounting and Related Services
- Political Science and Government
- Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Sociology
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Philosophy
- Music
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
- Chemistry
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
- Visual and Performing Arts, General
- Special Education and Teaching
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Data Science
- Dance
- Computer Science
Online Master's Degrees (5 programs)â–¼
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Economics
- Urban Studies/Affairs
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Online Doctoral Degrees (1 program)â–¼
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (2 programs)â–¼
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services
Online Undergraduate Certificates & Diplomas (4 programs)â–¼
- Bible/Biblical Studies
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
Online First Professional Degrees (1 program)â–¼
- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 1,978
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 39.5%
- Female Students 60.5%
- Caucasian 39.4%
- Asian 2.2%
- Hispanic 15.2%
- Black 28.2%
- Pell Grant Recipients 35.7%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Eastern University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Eastern University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Eastern University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a similar rate as higher-income students, indicating adequate institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Eastern University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Eastern University has a diverse student body, with 39.4% identifying as White. Women make up 60.5% of undergraduates.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Eastern University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a similar rate as higher-income students, indicating adequate institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Eastern University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Eastern University offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -59.8% ROI. Ranked #1561 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $25,885 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $41,580 median earnings. With 56.0% graduating within six years and 70.6% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Eastern University's Positioning
With a C+ grade and #1561 ranking, Eastern University competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $25,885 annually, Eastern University charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 70.6% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $18,120 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The -59.8% ROI and $41,580 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $15,885+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Eastern University ranks #1561 of 6272 institutions, with 1428 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 56.0% six-year graduation rate sits 6.5 points below the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 70.6% first-year retention is 6.2 points below the national norm of 76.8%.
- -59.8% return on investment is 145.1 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $41,580 run about 5% lower than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $25,885 is roughly $8,767 higher than the national median of $17,118.
Helpfulness for Students
- 19:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 70.6% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 82.3% employment rate within three years sits 14.1 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $25,885 is about $8,767 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 35.7% trails the national share by 3.2 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Eastern University is a private nonprofit university based in Saint Davids, PA and earns a C+ overall grade. It appears at #1561 in EDsmart's national list Category results include Completion (B-), Support (C+), Career Outcomes (B-), and Affordability (C+).
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
Student momentum is strong: 70.6% retention and 56.0% six-year graduation. The reported ROI is -59.8%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $25,885 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $53,293.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $27,408 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $18,000 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 35.7% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Graduates report median earnings of about $41,580 six years after entry. Compared with the national median, that's 5% lower.
Roughly 82.3% of graduates are employed three years out.
Plan around an ROI of about -59.8% according to the Scorecard data.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
93.6% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Eastern University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Saint Davids, PA 19087-3696
- Website www.eastern.edu/about/student-consumer-information
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationMiddle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
- Endowment$29.4M
- Transfer Enrollment Rate28.5%