Purchase College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY with Penn State Lehigh Valley in Center Valley, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Purchase College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($18,211 vs. $19,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 7.1% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($15,274 vs. $16,436).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley is 69.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $6,255 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at Penn State Lehigh Valley than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $6,189 more per year; $25,392.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Lehigh Valley than at SUNY at Purchase College (80% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students is 15.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($10,432 vs. $9,065).

Purchase College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College 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 Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 50 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Lehigh Valley students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Purchase College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College 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).

• SUNY at Purchase College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Penn State Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $4,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($232 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.