Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University Newark is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University Newark than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($18,276 vs. $19,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 5% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($15,274 vs. $16,074).
• Rutgers University Newark is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $2,042 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.8% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $11,370 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Lehigh Valley than at Rutgers University Newark (80% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 92% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($17,405 vs. $9,065).

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 80 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Lehigh Valley students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Newark 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).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $4,603 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($22,215 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($229 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Newark students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 68%)

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.