Simmons University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Should I go to Simmons University or Penn State Lehigh Valley? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Simmons University or Penn State Lehigh Valley is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Emmanuel College BU Emerson UMass BC Providence WCU Lesley University Wellesley Wheaton College Lehigh University of Connecticut-Stamford
Simmons University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley comparison
Simmons University Penn State Lehigh Valley College 3 College 4
Simmons University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Simmons University Penn State Lehigh Valley
Location Boston, MA Center Valley, PA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,710 888
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #108
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simmons.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Simmons University Penn State Lehigh Valley
Tuition (In State) $43,060 $14,624
Tuition (Out of State) $43,060 $24,318
Room & Board $16,368 $12,984
Avg Net Price $24,423 $18,142
Avg Grant Aid $36,606 $9,886
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 78%

Admission

Simmons University Penn State Lehigh Valley
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,001 1,806
Admitted 3,059 1,699
Acceptance Rate 76.5% 94.1%
Enrolled % 12.8% 15.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.87 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 28/32 22/26
SAT Range 1200/1390 1100/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Simmons University Penn State Lehigh Valley
Student to Faculty Ratio 7:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (6%)
  • Business (46%)
  • Education (25%)
  • Psychology (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)
  • Foreign Languages (3%)

Outcomes

Simmons University Penn State Lehigh Valley
Graduation Rate 69% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,800 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $268 $277

Diversity

Simmons University Penn State Lehigh Valley
% Men 8% 57%
% Women 92% 43%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 64%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 6% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Simmons University Penn State Lehigh Valley
% In-State 52% 93%
% Out-of-State 41% 6%

Campus

Simmons University Penn State Lehigh Valley
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Simmons University is larger than than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (5,710 students vs. 888 students)

Simmons University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simmons University or Penn State Lehigh Valley?

  • Simmons University is 194.4% more expensive to attend than Penn State Lehigh Valley for in-state tuition ($43,060.00 vs. $14,624.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 77.1% higher at Simmons University than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($43,060.00 vs. $24,318.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Lehigh Valley than Simmons University ($18,142 vs. $24,423)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 26.1% lower than costs at Simmons University ($12,984 vs. $16,368)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Simmons University than Penn State Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simmons University students is 270.3% larger than aid received Penn State Lehigh Valley ($36,606 vs. $9,886)

Simmons University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simmons University or Penn State Lehigh Valley? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Penn State Lehigh Valley or Simmons University .

  • The average SAT score at Simmons University (1163) is 144 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1019)
  • Incoming Simmons University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (23)
  • Accepted freshman Simmons University students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42)
  • Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (94.1%) than Simmons University (76.5%)

Simmons University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Simmons University or Penn State Lehigh Valley? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Penn State Lehigh Valley and Simmons University.

  • The graduation rate at Simmons University is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley (69% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley earn on average $2,500 more per year than Simmons University graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $52,800)
  • Simmons University students graduate with a $818 lower median federal student loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates. ($26,000 vs. $26,818)
  • Simmons University graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates. ($268 vs. $277)
  • More Simmons University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Lehigh Valley students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/