DeSales University vs Rider University
DeSales University and Rider University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania, offer distinct educational experiences. DeSales, a private Catholic university, boasts a 90% acceptance rate, while Rider, a private nonsectarian university, has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 75%. DeSales' student body is predominantly female (63%), while Rider's is more evenly balanced (52% female, 48% male). Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors at DeSales including nursing, biology, and business administration, and popular majors at Rider including business administration, psychology, and communication. With graduation rates of 75% and 68% respectively, both universities are committed to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional universities and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() DeSales University |
![]() Rider University |
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Overview |
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Location | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Lawrenceville, New Jersey |
Campus setting | Rural: Fringe | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 81.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 78.2% | 81.9% |
Application fees | $50 |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1080 - 1260 | 1050 - 1270 |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | 28 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 31.0% | 20.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 4.0% | 4.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,554 | 8,791 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,780 | 7,204 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 516 | 638 |
Yield rate | 18.6% | 8.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $56,182 | $46,150 |
Average net price | $27,965 | $23,781 |
Tuition | $39,500 | $35,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,400
Meal plan:
$6,900
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Room/dormitory:
$11,020
Meal plan:
$5,590
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $27,263 |
100.0%
Average amount $34,727 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
71.0%
Average amount $5,226 |
61.0%
Average amount $5,246 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $18,524 |
11.0%
Average amount $16,651 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,309
Men 36.6% Women 63.4% |
3,222
Men 42.0% Women 58.0% |
Graduate students |
792
Men 32.8% Women 67.2% |
982
Men 33.0% Women 67.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 31.0% | N/A |
International students | 0.3% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Fringe | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,160 | 2,409 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Delaware Maryland | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.3% | 60.9% |
Dropout rate | 16.6% | 38.6% |
Transferred out | 13.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (First Professional Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
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