Academic Comparison between Penn State Lehigh Valley and Messiah University

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

  • Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public and Messiah University is a private (not-for-profit) 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 (1,220) than Messiah University (1,210).
  • Messiah University has higher submitted ACT score (23) 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

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valleyvs.Messiah University
Center Valley, PennsylvaniaLocationMechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$15,180
Out-Of-State$25,118
2024 Tuition & Fees$40,640
73%% Receiving Financial Aid95%
$9,173Average Amount of Financial Aid$26,414
93.99 %Acceptance Rates78.02 %
16.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)32.00 %
1,220SAT Score1,210
23ACT Score26
12 %Graduation Rate78 %
48 %Transfer-out Rate16 %
79 %Retention Rate86 %
888Student Population3,231
43Number of Faculties195
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening CollegeSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services