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La Salle University

Philadelphia, PA

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

1,966
Total Students
$36K
Tuition (In-State)
$36K
Tuition (Out-State)
$21K
Avg Net Price
86%
Acceptance Rate
58%
Graduation Rate
6-year
69%
Retention Rate
Doctoral/Professional Universities
Classification

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

1863
La Salle College was founded as an all-male institution.
1886
Moved to the former mansion of Michael Bouvier on North Broad Street.
1930
Relocated to its current campus at the intersection of 20th Street and Olney Avenue.
1970
Admitted women to its regular classes, becoming a fully co-educational institution.
1984
Granted University status, officially becoming La Salle University.
2007
Acquired the former Germantown Hospital for $10 million, establishing West Campus.
2016
Decreased undergraduate tuition by 29% to improve accessibility for students.
2020
Daniel J. Allen became president; university began re-adding sports teams after initial cuts.
2025
Enrollment increased to 3,263 students, signaling significant recovery and growth.

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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