AU vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Penn State Lehigh Valley in Center Valley, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

AU vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Penn State Lehigh Valley? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Lehigh Valley than AU ($19,066 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 15.1% lower than at American University ($15,274 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 286.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $43,563 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.5% higher at AU than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $33,379 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Lehigh Valley than at American University (80% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 301% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($36,349 vs. $9,065).

AU vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Penn State Lehigh Valley? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Lehigh Valley and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 140 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

AU vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Penn State Lehigh Valley? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($250 vs. $277).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Lehigh Valley students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.