Academic Comparison between Messiah University and Penn State Lehigh Valley

Messiah University and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Messiah University is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Mechanicsburg, 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.

  • Messiah University is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Messiah University has more expensive tuition & fees ($40,640) than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($25,118).
  • It is harder to admit to Messiah University than Penn State Lehigh Valley.
  • Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher submitted SAT score (1,210) than Messiah University (1,210).
  • Messiah University has higher submitted ACT score (26) than Penn State Lehigh Valley (23).
  • Messiah University has more students with 3,231 students while Penn State Lehigh Valley has 888 students.
  • Messiah University has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Penn State Lehigh Valley's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • Messiah University has more full-time faculties with 195 faculties while Penn State Lehigh Valley has 43 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Messiah Universityvs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley
Mechanicsburg, PennsylvaniaLocationCenter Valley, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie Classification
$40,6402024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,180
Out-Of-State$25,118
95%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$26,414Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,173
78.48 %Acceptance Rates94.21 %
31.97 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)16.26 %
1,210SAT Score1,220
26ACT Score23
78 %Graduation Rate12 %
16 %Transfer-out Rate48 %
86 %Retention Rate79 %
3,231Student Population888
195Number of Faculties43
13 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 servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services