DeSales University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

DeSales University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (2,972 students vs. 867 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DeSales University is located in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• DeSales 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: DeSales University 12:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

DeSales University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DeSales University 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 DeSales University ($19,066 vs. $31,732).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 9.7% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($13,800 vs. $15,274).
• DeSales University is 207.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $31,592 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.3% higher at DeSales University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $21,408 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DeSales University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 241% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($30,909 vs. $9,065).

DeSales University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DeSales University or Penn State Lehigh Valley? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Lehigh Valley and DeSales University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 50 points higher than at DeSales University (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: DeSales University 1090/1260; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: DeSales University 27/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DeSales University - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DeSales University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Penn State Lehigh Valley students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at DeSales University (3.39).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than DeSales University (77.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at DeSales University vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

DeSales University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DeSales University and Penn State Lehigh Valley? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• DeSales University's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than DeSales University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DeSales University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, DeSales University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More DeSales University 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.