Rider University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Rider University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (4,003 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rider University is located in Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Rider 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: Rider University 14:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Rider University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider 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 Rider University ($19,066 vs. $26,506).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 11.4% lower than at Rider University ($15,274 vs. $17,230).
• Rider University is 170.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $25,912 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.9% higher at Rider University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $15,728 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 223.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($29,294 vs. $9,065).

Rider University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 20 points higher than at Rider University (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 1100/1320; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rider University 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rider University - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Lehigh Valley students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Rider University (3.41).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Rider University (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Rider University vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Rider University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rider 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).

• Rider University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Rider University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rider University graduates have a $1,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rider University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($266 vs. $277).
• More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Lehigh Valley students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.