Academic Comparison between CMU and Penn State Lehigh Valley

Carnegie Mellon University and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. CMU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Pittsburgh, PA and Penn State Lehigh Valley is a four-year, public school located in Center Valley, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • CMU is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • CMU has more expensive tuition & fees ($63,274) than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($25,118).
  • It is harder to admit to CMU than Penn State Lehigh Valley.
  • CMU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,540) than Penn State Lehigh Valley (1,220).
  • CMU has higher submitted ACT score (35) than Penn State Lehigh Valley (23).
  • CMU has more students with 16,002 students while Penn State Lehigh Valley has 888 students.
  • CMU has a lower number of students per faculty with 5 to 1 while Penn State Lehigh Valley's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • CMU has more full-time faculties with 1,286 faculties while Penn State Lehigh Valley has 43 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Carnegie Mellon Universityvs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaLocationCenter Valley, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie Classification
$63,2742024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,180
Out-Of-State$25,118
48%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$40,660Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,173
11.00 %Acceptance Rates93.99 %
44.01 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)16.00 %
1,540SAT Score1,220
35ACT Score23
91 %Graduation Rate12 %
-Transfer-out Rate48 %
97 %Retention Rate79 %
16,002Student Population888
1,286Number of Faculties43
5 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services