Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public university in Center Valley, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is a public university in Middletown, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley admits about 97% of applicants and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg about 98%, making Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,220 a year at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley after aid, and about $23,330 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. About 28% of students graduate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg, 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
Middletown, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
859
4,031
Acceptance rate
97%
98%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.23–3.73
3.23–3.73
SAT (middle 50%)
1130–1320
1120–1310
ACT (middle 50%)
20–28
22–31
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,220
$23,330
Full cost / yr
$28,109
$32,521
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
$16,219
$30k - $48k
$13,319
$16,221
$48k - $75k
$16,438
$21,176
$75k - $110k
$23,611
$25,103
Over $110k
$24,539
$29,834
Outcomes
Graduation rate
18%
28%
Freshman retention
83%
82%
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%
26%
First-generation students
29%
29%
International students
1%
14%
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 Harrisburg harder to get into?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is harder to get into. It admits about 97% of applicants, compared with 98% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. 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 Harrisburg?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,220 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $23,330 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. 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 Harrisburg?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley costs about $28,109 a year and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg about $32,521. 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 Harrisburg?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,422 there, against about $16,219 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. 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 Harrisburg?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is the larger of the two, with about 4,031 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 Harrisburg have a better graduation rate?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1130–1320 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley and 1120–1310 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Curtis Institute of MusicPennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Central Penn CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley vs Moore College of Art and DesignPennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Swarthmore CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Haverford CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Franklin and Marshall College
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