Canisius vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Canisius University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (2,451 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Canisius University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Canisius 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: Canisius University 11:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Canisius vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Canisius 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 Canisius ($19,066 vs. $19,666).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Canisius University are 11.2% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($13,560 vs. $15,274).
• Canisius University is 126.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $19,292 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.9% higher at Canisius than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $9,108 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Canisius University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Canisius University students is 175.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($24,972 vs. $9,065).

Canisius vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Canisius 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 Canisius.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 40 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 1050/1320; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Canisius - Test-free; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Canisius 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 Canisius (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Canisius vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Canisius vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Canisius 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).

• Canisius University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Canisius graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $2,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($24,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($255 vs. $277).
• More Canisius graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Lehigh Valley students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.