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 ($65,636) than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($25,392).
  • 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 (1,210).
  • CMU has more students with 15,888 students while Penn State Lehigh Valley has 867 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 1,387 faculties while Penn State Lehigh Valley has 44 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
$65,6362025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,208
Out-Of-State$25,392
48%% Receiving Financial Aid72%
$47,608Average Amount of Financial Aid$8,725
11.66 %Acceptance Rates97.37 %
45.67 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)14.00 %
1,540SAT Score1,210
35ACT Score-
94 %Graduation Rate18 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate43 %
98 %Retention Rate83 %
15,888Student Population867
1,387Number of Faculties44
5 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services