College Profile:
La Salle University

Background
La Salle University was founded in 1863, a legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers teaching order he established over 300 years ago. The Christian Brothers tradition is reflected in many ways: in how people treat each other, with mutual respect and kindness; in the quest for excellence – in academics, in extracurricular activities, in athletics, in all areas of life; in the belief that intellectual and spiritual development go hand in hand; and in the strong commitment to serving the community; both on campus and off-campus.

The University takes pride in its identity as a Catholic institution where education continues to be values-based. We remain committed to excellent teaching that prepares students for the changing economic, social, moral and religious challenges of our society.

Location
Just minutes away from downtown Philadelphia is La Salle’s beautiful 100-acre campus, a place that radiates with the energizing vitality of a world-class university. La Salle is a place that is alive with a sense of community. From the classroom to the quad, from the residence halls to the faculty offices, the La Salle spirit is not limited by physical boundaries.

Philly is La Salle. The city is more than the Liberty Bell, Philly cheesesteaks, the place where the famous scene in Rocky was shot. First of all, Philadelphia could be termed “our only big classroom,” as so many students are involved in internships and so many classes tap into the city’s great resources. La Salle is Philly.

Student Body
The University’s population now totals over 5,500 students, including approximately 3,200 full-time undergraduates, 800 part-time undergraduates, and 1,600 graduate students. About two-thirds of the full-time undergraduates are resident students.

In regard to diversity, 80% of students are White, 13% are African-American, 4% are Hispanic, and 3% are Asian. The gender ratio of Female/Male students is 52%/48%, respectively. About half of the student body hails from Pennsylvania while the majority of the rest come from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C., among others.

Academics
The University offers undergraduate concentrations in nearly 60 academic areas within its three schools: Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, and Nursing. Included are several new and distinctive high-tech majors like Integrated Science, Business and Technology (ISBT) and Digital Arts and Multimedia Design (DArt). The most popular areas of study include Communication, Nursing, Accounting, and Elementary/Special Education. La Salle also offers 13 graduate programs.

• La Salle consistently ranks among the nation’s leading regional universities in the Northern U.S. according to U.S. News and World Report.
  
• La Salle’s School of Nursing has accomplished a 100% pass rate on the Family Nurse Practitioner Exam.
  
• The acceptance rate of La Salle Alumni into medical school has been close to 98% over the past 20 years.
  
• La Salle’s School of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Only 25% of the universities in the U.S. have an AACSB accredited program.
  
• La Salle has educated 58 Fulbright Scholars

Financial Aid
La Salle has been consistently rated as a “best buy” in higher learning by national publications. That said, costs understandably remain a concern for many students and families considering La Salle. Our Office of Student Financial Services stands ready to ease those concerns.

In addition to our need-based programs, we offer a variety of merit scholarships ranging from $3,500 to full tuition. Our full tuition scholarship application deadline is January 15. Students need not apply separately to be considered for partial tuition scholarships.

Furthermore, any student graduating from a Catholic secondary school with at least a 2.75 G.P.A. or ranking within the top half of their graduating class will automatically receive the $4,000 Mission Grant.

2004 – 2005 Expenses
• Tuition and Fees: $24,610
• Average Room and Board: $8,330
• Average Need-Based Financial Aid: $15,000
• Average La Salle Grant/Merit Scholarship Award: $10,600

Travel Abroad
Study Abroad and Travel Study opportunities are also available at La Salle. Study Abroad involves spending a semester abroad. La Salle has programs in Galway, Ireland and Rome, Italy and, in addition, supports students going to other countries through other accredited schools.

Travel Study courses are those that are taken at La Salle, but require a travel component, either domestic or international.

Over the past five years, trips have been taken to France, Germany, Canada, Bermuda and London. This upcoming year we will have courses in both Prague and Germany among others

Athletics
The University fields 23 NCAA Division I sports teams including 11 for men (baseball, basketball, crew, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track and field) and 12 for women (basketball, crew, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball). More than 500 undergraduates participate in intercollegiate varsity sports and more than 1,000 partake in intramural sports at La Salle.