LRC vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche 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.

La Roche University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (2,153 students vs. 867 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• La Roche 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: La Roche University 11:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

LRC vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC 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 LRC ($19,066 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 12.3% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($13,390 vs. $15,274).
• La Roche University is 123.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $18,844 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at LRC than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $8,660 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Roche University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (81% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 154.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($23,083 vs. $9,065).

LRC vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC 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 LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 160 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Penn State Lehigh Valley students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at LRC (3.2).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

LRC vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC 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.

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) 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 LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, La Roche University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, LRC graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LRC 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.