DeSales University

20th century The entrance to Trexler Library at DeSales University in May 2017 At the request of Bishop of the Allentown Diocese , Joseph McShea , the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales began planning for the new college in April 1962, and the charter for Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales , with full power to award the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, was granted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on May 27, 1964. [ 7 ] Classes began for freshmen in September 1965. Allentown College was fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools during the 1969–1970 academic year. In September 1970, the college became a co-educational institution. The college's continuing education department was established in 1977. In the spring of 1988, the college opened the Easton campus for an evening degree program. A Master of Science in Nursing degree was introduced in 1984; the Master of Science in Management Information Systems in September 1988; and an M.Ed. program in the summer of 1989. In August 1991, the college began its Master of Business Administration (MBA) program which has now grown to be the second-largest MBA program among universities and colleges in Pennsylvania. [ 8 ]

In 2000, Allentown College received university status from the Pennsylvania Department of Education , and the university's name was changed to DeSales University. In 2018, James J. Greenfield began serving as the university's fourth president.

The main entrance to the Gambet Center for Business and Healthcare at DeSales University The trading room in the Gambet Center at DeSales University The front of the Hurd Science Center at DeSales University The main entrance to DeSales University Center The student-faculty ratio at DeSales University is 12:1, and the school has 54.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at DeSales University include: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Business Administration and Management, General; Psychology, General; Accounting; Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other; Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General; Criminal Justice/Safety Studies; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Finance, General; and Marketing/Marketing Management, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 82 percent. [ 9 ] More than 80% of undergraduate, full-time day students receive some form of financial aid. [ 10 ] Rankings The 2026 edition of Best Colleges from U.S. News & World Report ranked DeSales University as 283rd in "National Universities". [ 9 ]

DeSales is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education . Its nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Physician Assistant Program also holds accreditation from the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). Business and business related programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). DeSales University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Financial planning programs are CFP Board Registered Programs. [ 11 ]