Academic Comparison between Penn State Lehigh Valley and Messiah

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 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 is a private (not-for-profit) 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 (1,210) 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

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$15,208
Out-Of-State$25,392
2025 Tuition & Fees$42,240
72%% Receiving Financial Aid90%
$8,725Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,893
97.37 %Acceptance Rates78.97 %
14.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)29.06 %
1,210SAT Score1,230
-ACT Score27
18 %Graduation Rate75 %
43 %Transfer-out Rate19 %
83 %Retention Rate89 %
867Student Population3,373
44Number of Faculties175
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), 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