Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public university in Center Valley, PA, and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is a public university in Reading, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is the more selective of the two, admitting about 97% of applicants against 99% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $18,220 a year against $24,356 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. About 28% of students graduate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks, compared with 18% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley. Alumni of both earn a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Center Valley, PA
Reading, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
859
1,872
Acceptance rate
97%
99%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.23–3.73
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
1130–1320
1090–1275
ACT (middle 50%)
20–28
18–27
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,220
$24,356
Full cost / yr
$28,109
$32,242
In-state tuition
$15,208
$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
$25,392
$26,958
Application fee
$65
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,422
$16,429
$30k - $48k
$13,319
$15,862
$48k - $75k
$16,438
$23,583
$75k - $110k
$23,611
$25,465
Over $110k
$24,539
$29,541
Outcomes
Graduation rate
18%
28%
Freshman retention
83%
77%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$55,620
$55,620
Median earnings (10 yr)
$63,435
$63,435
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
35%
29%
First-generation students
29%
29%
International students
1%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks harder to get into?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is harder to get into. It admits about 97% of applicants, compared with 99% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,220 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,356 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley costs about $28,109 a year and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks about $32,242. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,422 there, against about $16,429 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is the larger of the two, with about 1,872 undergraduates against 859 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley.
- Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks have a better graduation rate?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks has the higher graduation rate, at about 28% against 18% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley.
- Do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks earn more?
- Earnings are similar. Alumni of both earn a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks require SAT or ACT scores?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1130–1320 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley and 1090–1275 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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Which of these is the better fit for you?
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