Chatham vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Chatham University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Chatham 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: Chatham University 10:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Chatham vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham 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 Chatham ($19,066 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 11% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($13,600 vs. $15,274).
• Chatham University is 193.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $29,418 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.7% higher at Chatham than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $19,234 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 232% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($30,095 vs. $9,065).

Chatham vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chatham 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 Chatham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 50 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Chatham vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham 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).

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $6,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.