Houghton University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Houghton University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (1,200 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Houghton University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Houghton 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 Houghton University ($19,066 vs. $21,274).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 25.6% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($11,360 vs. $15,274).
• Houghton University is 21.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $3,222 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.8% higher at Penn State Lehigh Valley than at Houghton University (about $6,962 more per year; $25,392.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houghton University students is 9.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($9,902 vs. $9,065).

Houghton University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Houghton University 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 Houghton University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houghton University (1270) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 1170/1375; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houghton University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Houghton University - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Lehigh Valley students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Houghton University (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Houghton University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Houghton University 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).

• Houghton University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Houghton University graduates have a $1,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($25,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Houghton University graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($263 vs. $277).
• More Houghton University 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.