University of Southern Maine vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern Maine in Portland, ME with Penn State Lehigh Valley in Center Valley, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern Maine is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (7,604 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern Maine is located in Portland, ME (Small City setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Southern Maine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Maine 14:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

University of Southern Maine vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Maine 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 University of Southern Maine than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($14,028 vs. $19,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Maine are 19.6% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($12,280 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley is 34.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Maine (about $3,924 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $11,284.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at University of Southern Maine than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $2,552 more per year; $27,944.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Maine than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (95% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Maine students is 23.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($11,188 vs. $9,065).

University of Southern Maine vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Maine 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 University of Southern Maine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 110 points higher than at University of Southern Maine (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Maine 990/1250; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Maine 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Maine - Required; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Lehigh Valley students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Southern Maine (3.33).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than University of Southern Maine (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at University of Southern Maine vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

University of Southern Maine vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Maine 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).

• Penn State Lehigh Valley's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than University of Southern Maine's (33%).
• Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than University of Southern Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Maine graduates have a $4,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, University of Southern Maine 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 University of Southern Maine students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

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.