Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Comparable Facts

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

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (3,650 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Lehigh Valley is located in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting); Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is in Harrisburg, PA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology 18:1.

Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Lehigh Valley or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($15,984 vs. $19,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology are 27.7% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($11,040 vs. $15,274).
• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is 60.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $9,192 more per year; $24,400.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Penn State Lehigh Valley than at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (about $992 more per year; $25,392.00 vs. $24,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students is 117.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($19,706 vs. $9,065).

Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Lehigh Valley or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Penn State Lehigh Valley.

• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Lehigh Valley students have the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (87.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. 9.6% at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Lehigh Valley and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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).

• Penn State Lehigh Valley's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology's (9%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates have a $318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($26,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($274 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 43%)

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.