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.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Penn State Lehigh Valley Messiah University
Vote to see the other's choices.

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
94.21 %Acceptance Rates78.48 %
16.26 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)31.97 %
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