Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

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

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Lehigh Valley is located in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Lehigh Valley or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($19,066 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 3.5% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($15,274 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 212.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $32,297 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.1% higher at Jefferson than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $22,113 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 286.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($35,007 vs. $9,065).

Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Lehigh Valley or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson and Penn State Lehigh Valley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 20 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Jefferson (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Lehigh Valley and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $67,600 more per year than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $14,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($12,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $148 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($129 vs. $277).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Lehigh Valley students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.