Drexel vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drexel University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Drexel 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: Drexel University 9:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Drexel vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drexel 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 Drexel ($19,066 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 15.6% lower than at Drexel University ($15,274 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 310.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $47,204 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.8% higher at Drexel than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $37,020 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 286.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($35,051 vs. $9,065).

Drexel vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drexel 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 Drexel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 110 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 1240/1440; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drexel - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drexel students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Drexel (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Drexel vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Drexel vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drexel 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).

• Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $22,100 more per year than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $575 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($26,243 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Drexel graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($271 vs. $277).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Lehigh Valley students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.