Academic Comparison between Penn State Lehigh Valley and Mercyhurst

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley and Mercyhurst 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 Mercyhurst is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Erie, 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 Mercyhurst is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Mercyhurst has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,770) than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($25,392).
  • It is harder to admit to Mercyhurst than Penn State Lehigh Valley.
  • Mercyhurst has more students with 2,632 students while Penn State Lehigh Valley has 867 students.
  • Mercyhurst has more full-time faculties with 131 faculties while Penn State Lehigh Valley has 44 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valleyvs.Mercyhurst University
Center Valley, PennsylvaniaLocationErie, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$15,208
Out-Of-State$25,392
2025 Tuition & Fees$45,770
72%% Receiving Financial Aid93%
$8,725Average Amount of Financial Aid$30,789
97.37 %Acceptance Rates81.02 %
14.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.35 %
1,210SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
18 %Graduation Rate60 %
43 %Transfer-out Rate11 %
83 %Retention Rate80 %
867Student Population2,632
44Number of Faculties131
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening CollegeSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services