Academic Comparison between Messiah 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 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 is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Messiah has more expensive tuition & fees ($42,240) than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($25,392).
  • It is harder to admit to Messiah than Penn State Lehigh Valley.
  • Messiah has a higher submitted SAT score (1,230) than Penn State Lehigh Valley (1,210).
  • Messiah has more students with 3,373 students while Penn State Lehigh Valley has 867 students.
  • Messiah has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Penn State Lehigh Valley's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • Messiah has more full-time faculties with 175 faculties while Penn State Lehigh Valley has 44 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
$42,2402025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,208
Out-Of-State$25,392
90%% Receiving Financial Aid72%
$24,893Average Amount of Financial Aid$8,725
78.97 %Acceptance Rates97.37 %
29.06 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)14.00 %
1,230SAT Score1,210
27ACT Score-
75 %Graduation Rate18 %
19 %Transfer-out Rate43 %
89 %Retention Rate83 %
3,373Student Population867
175Number of Faculties44
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services