Eastern University is a nationally-recognized Christian university enrolling approximately 5,700 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, professional, seminary, and online programs. The university’s main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with additional locations in Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Eastern’s core values of faith, reason, and justice are woven into all of its educational programs.
Eastern University is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA and has an interdenominational Christian student body, faculty and administration. Through dynamic programs, a vibrant campus community, and meaningful service learning opportunities, Eastern University is committed to providing students with transformative, accessible, and affordable education.
Our Mission
Eastern University is a diverse, Christ-centered community preparing graduates to impact the world through faith, reason, and justice. Learn more about our Vision, Mission & Values.
The College of Arts and Humanities: Eastern University's College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) houses majors and minors in the humanities and performing arts.
The College of Business and Leadership: Eastern University's College of Business and Leadership (CBL) brings together carefully designed educational offerings from the disciplines of business, leadership, and advocacy.
The College of Education & Behavioral Sciences: Eastern University's College of Education is one of the leading private university Education programs in the state of Pennsylvania. It offers a diverse array of undergraduate, graduate, and certification programs.
The College of Health and Sciences: Eastern University's College of Health and Sciences (CHS) equips students with the knowledge, skills and abilities for meaningful careers, advanced professional training and active roles in local and global communities through social services and healthcare professions.
The Templeton Honors College: The Templeton Honors College offers graduate-style undergraduate education for the most academically-gifted students.
Palmer Theological Seminary and College: Palmer Theological Seminary provides theological education for all types of ministry that seek to present the whole gospel, to the whole world, through whole persons.
Esperanza College: Esperanza College is Eastern’s junior college which operates in partnership with Nueva Esperanza, Inc. and aims to serve the Latino community in Philadelphia, PA.
St. Davids, PA: Our scenic 114-acre suburban main campus is just west of Philadelphia, PA, offering undergraduate, graduate, and Palmer Theological Seminary programs.
Philadelphia, PA: Eastern has locations in Center City, City Avenue, and Esperanza College.
Harrisburg, PA: Our convenient, attractive Harrisburg location offers a centralized hub for working adults.
Ripley, WV: Palmer Seminary offers the Master of Divinity here.
*Eastern also holds additional instructional sites at numerous suburban and international locations.
Majors and Programs
- Calendar: A two-semester academic year, fall and spring, with two summer sessions. Adult and graduate programs offered throughout the calendar year.
- Academic Programs and Degrees: Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Education, Master of Theological Studies, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Arts, Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Education.
- Study Abroad: Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, universities including Oxford University and the University of St. Andrews, student teaching, and various other programs.
- Eastern University offers many Online and Blended Online Programs.
Faculty
- 107 full-time faculty (all colleges)
- 79% hold earned doctorates or highest professional degrees
- Over 300 faculty publications
Honors and Recognition
Alumni and faculty of Eastern University have received the MacArthur Foundation Award, Olaf Palma International Justice Award, Regional Emmy for PBS Documentary, and Lindback Awards for Excellence in Teaching. View recent national honors and recognition.
Accreditation
Eastern University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Learn more and view our Professional Accreditations.
Retention
- Surveys like the Student Satisfaction Inventory are administered annually to ensure continual improvement of student services.
- Undergraduate retention rate of 78% (full-time traditional students)
High School GPA
- Average high school GPA for entering first-time full-time traditional undergraduate students = 3.58 (Based on the students with reported data)
Diversity
- International and Multi-ethnic Enrollment: 47.4% of all undergraduates (including Esperanza).
Library Resources
- Harold C. Howard Center/Warner Memorial Library: Houses 155,000 books; links to 1.3 million ebooks; has 10,000 audio-visual materials.
- Access to over 55,000 online periodicals through databases EBSCOhost, SAGE, Proquest, JSTOR, GALE.
- Over 75 million books available through Interlibrary Loans. The library is a member of cooperatives: The Tri-State College Library Cooperative; the Pennslyvania Academic Library Consortium Inc; and the Southeast Pennsylvania Theological Library Association.
St. Davids Facilities
- 8 Academic and Administrative Buildings
- The Bradstreet Observatory and Julia Fowler Planetarium
- Residential: 8 residence halls house 944 students on campus.
- Athletic: Gymnasium, tennis courts, pool, multi-purpose baseball field, softball field, turf soccer/lacrosse and practice field
Financial Aid
96% of students receive academic and need-based scholarships and grants. Learn more about the Financial Aid Office.
Tuition and Costs
- Traditional Undergraduate Tuition
- Online Undergraduate Tuition
- Graduate Tuition
- Palmer Seminary Tuition
Grants
- Barnabas Foundation
- Comloquoy Charitable Foundation
- EAPE Kingdom Works, Inc.
- Eden Charitable Foundation
- HBE Foundation
- Huston Foundation
- Stewart Huston Charitable Trust
- National Institutes of Health
- National Science Foundation
- PA Department of Education
- PA Higher Education Foundation
- Sodexho Marriott Services, Inc.
- W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
- U.S. Dept. of Education
Board of Trustees
Chair: Mr. Steve Clemens, '91
Senior Leadership
President: Dr. Ronald A. Matthews
Alumni
- 29,000 alumni in 50 states and 132 countries
- 94-99% of graduates in the last decade have found employment, full-time volunteer work, or begun post-graduate studies within the first six months of graduation (based on the percent of students who responded in each year).
