La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA
Quick Facts
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About La Salle University
La Salle University: Resilient Philadelphia institution fostering accessibility and academic growth.
La Salle University, established in 1863, boasts a compelling history of perseverance and dedication to its community. Founded as an all-male college by Brother Teliow and Archbishop James Wood, it navigated multiple relocations across Philadelphia's evolving landscape and overcame several periods of near-bankruptcy, including during the Great Depression and World War II. This enduring spirit laid the foundation for its growth into a fully co-educational institution in 1970 and later achieving university status in 1984.
Today, La Salle is distinguished by its commitment to student accessibility and academic innovation. In a bold move in 2016, the university decreased its tuition by 29% to make quality education more attainable for a diverse range of students. Academically, it features a new Business School on its expanded West Campus (acquired in 2007), a renovated Holroyd Science Center, and offers graduate and continuing education programs through satellite centers in Bucks County and Montgomery County, including nursing and clinical-counseling psychology.
The student experience at La Salle is enriched by modern facilities like St. Basil Court residence hall and Tree Tops Cafe. The university also plays a vital role in its surrounding community, notably through The Shoppes at La Salle, which addressed a long-standing food desert in Germantown. Following a period of strategic revitalization, including the re-addition of sports teams and improved recruitment, La Salle has seen a significant increase in enrollment, reflecting a vibrant and promising future for its Explorers.
Key Highlights
- ✦Founded in March 1863 as an all-male college; became fully co-educational in 1970.
- ✦Granted University status in 1984, recognizing its expanded academic offerings.
- ✦Implemented a significant 29% undergraduate tuition reduction in 2016 to enhance accessibility for a diverse student body.
- ✦Expanded its campus by 25% in 2007 with the acquisition of the former Germantown Hospital, now West Campus.
- ✦Opened The Shoppes at La Salle in 2008, including The Fresh Grocer, ending a decades-long food desert in Germantown.
- ✦Features a new Business School, opened on West Campus in January 2016, and a renovated Holroyd Science Center completed in 2009.
- ✦Experienced a notable resurgence in enrollment, increasing to 3,263 students by 2025 after strategic programmatic investments.
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
1 notable schools within La Salle University
Business School
A new business school opened on the West Campus in January 2016, offering various business programs.
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