Arcadia University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Arcadia University is a private research university in Glenside, Pennsylvania, enrolling about 1,948 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 80.22% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $58,336 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $49,610
- 2024 Average Net Price: $29,466 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 80.22% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,948 93.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 66.74%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 30.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 2.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 10.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 36.6%
- Average SAT Score: 1190
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,251
- Applicants (IPEDS): 6,688
- Room & Board: $17,180 annual estimate
Arcadia University: what the data shows
Common questions about Arcadia University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Arcadia University?
Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (ZIP 19038-3295).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Arcadia University public or private?
Arcadia University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Arcadia University cost?
Published tuition: $49,610.
Average net price after aid: $29,466.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $23,127 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $25,388 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $25,978 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $28,654 |
| $110,001+ | $34,339 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $198,440.
How hard is it to get into Arcadia University?
Admission rate: 80.22%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1190 and midpoint ACT 25.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Arcadia University?
Total enrollment: 1,948 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,251 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,374 students.
About 93% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Arcadia University?
150%-time completion rate: 66.74%.
First-year retention: 78.8%.
What do graduates of Arcadia University earn?
Median earnings: $44,004 six years after entry; $58,336 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $27,000.
28.31% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Arcadia University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Physical Therapy/Therapist (245 completions)
- Physician Associate/Assistant (75 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (66 completions)
- Psychology, General (39 completions)
- Applied Behavior Analysis (38 completions)
- Public Health, General (25 completions)
- Creative Writing (23 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (22 completions)
- Counseling Psychology (22 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (18 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Arcadia University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 80.22%; completion rate 66.74%; median earnings $58,336 at 10 years; net price $29,466. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$49,610
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Arcadia University was $49,610.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$29,466
2024 Value
In 2024 Arcadia University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $29,466.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$117,864 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$29,466 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$198,440 4-Year Tuition
$17,180 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,500 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$68,290 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$273,160 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Arcadia University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
28.31% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
61.48% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.10%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Arcadia University was 0.10%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Arcadia University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $36,810 | $36,810 | $24,572 |
| 2014 | $38,160 | $38,160 | $23,588 |
| 2015 | $39,560 | $39,560 | $25,755 |
| 2016 | $40,920 | $40,920 | $25,628 |
| 2017 | $42,330 | $42,330 | $25,917 |
| 2018 | $43,580 | $43,580 | $24,659 |
| 2019 | $44,440 | $44,440 | $27,189 |
| 2020 | $45,340 | $45,340 | $28,574 |
| 2021 | $46,220 | $46,220 | $26,188 |
| 2022 | $47,130 | $47,130 | $28,861 |
| 2023 | $48,290 | $48,290 | $25,866 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
80.22% Acceptance Rate
6,688 Total Applicants
5,296 Students Admitted
420 First-Time Students Enrolled
7.93% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1190
ACT Average: 25
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Arcadia University reported total enrollment of about 1,948 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 37% male and 63% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (54.8%), Black or African American (16.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (11.7%). About 28.31% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 30.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
93.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Arcadia University in 2024 is 1,948 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,251 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,374 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
78.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 54.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
58.69% 100% Completion Time
66.74% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 58.69% of students graduating from Arcadia University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Physical Therapy/Therapist: 27% male / 73% female
- Physician Associate/Assistant: 24% male / 76% female
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 24% male / 76% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Arcadia University.
Return on Investment
$27,000 Median Student Debt
$58,336 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
46.28% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
394.94% Return on Investment
4.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Arcadia University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 65 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Physical Therapy/Therapist: 245 completions
2. Physician Associate/Assistant: 75 completions
3. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 66 completions
4. Psychology, General: 39 completions
5. Applied Behavior Analysis: 38 completions
6. Public Health, General: 25 completions
7. Creative Writing: 23 completions
8. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 22 completions
9. Counseling Psychology: 22 completions
Most popular programs at Arcadia University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Arcadia University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Arcadia University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 36.6%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,854
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,749
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Arcadia University is a private non-profit institution located in Glenside, PA, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Physical Therapy/Therapist, Physician Associate/Assistant, Biology/Biological Sciences, General. Enrollment is approximately 1,948 students. Student body composition includes White (54.8%), Black or African American (16.8%), Hispanic or Latino (11.7%). The admission rate is 80.22%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1190. The 150%-time completion rate is 66.74%. Approximately 28.31% of students receive Pell Grants. About 30.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Glenside, PA 19038-3295
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 65 distinct degree programs, Arcadia University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Arcadia University located?
Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA.
What is Arcadia University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Arcadia University is 80.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 6,688 applicants and 5,296 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Arcadia University cost?
Reported tuition is $49,610 and average net price is $29,466 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $17,180 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Arcadia University?
Arcadia University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,251 students, White (54.8%), Black or African American (16.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Arcadia University?
About 30.7% of students at Arcadia University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Arcadia University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Arcadia University reports midpoint SAT about 1190 and midpoint ACT about 25.
What do graduates of Arcadia University earn?
Median earnings are $44,004 six years after entry and $58,336 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Arcadia University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 66.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Arcadia University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $27,000.
Is Arcadia University public or private?
Arcadia University is a private nonprofit institution located in Glenside, PA.
Is Arcadia University an HBCU?
No. Arcadia University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Arcadia University a tribal college?
No. Arcadia University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Pennsylvania college costs
- Pennsylvania colleges by ROI
- Mid East regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Pennsylvania
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.