Fisher vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

Compare St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY with Penn State Lehigh Valley in Center Valley, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. John Fisher University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (3,693 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. John Fisher University is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• St. John Fisher 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: St. John Fisher University 11:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Fisher vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher 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 Fisher ($19,066 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. John Fisher University are 2.4% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($14,908 vs. $15,274).
• St. John Fisher University is 170.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $25,982 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.2% higher at Fisher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $15,798 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 170.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($24,530 vs. $9,065).

Fisher vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher 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 Fisher.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 20 points higher than at Fisher (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 1120/1300; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fisher students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Fisher vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Fisher vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Fisher graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John Fisher University graduates have a $2,918 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($23,900 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Fisher graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($247 vs. $277).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Lehigh Valley students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.