Worcester State University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Worcester State University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (5,745 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Worcester State University is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Worcester State University 16:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Worcester State University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Worcester State University 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 Worcester State University than Penn State Lehigh Valley ($12,778 vs. $19,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester State University are 6.3% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($14,307 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley is 29% more expensive for in-state tuition than Worcester State University (about $3,422 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $11,786.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.1% higher at Penn State Lehigh Valley than at Worcester State University (about $7,526 more per year; $25,392.00 vs. $17,866.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Worcester State University as at Penn State Lehigh Valley (80% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester State University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($9,464 vs. $9,065).

Worcester State University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Worcester State University 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 Worcester State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 80 points higher than at Worcester State University (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Worcester State University 1026/1283; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Worcester State University - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Lehigh Valley students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Worcester State University (3.3).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Worcester State University (88%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Worcester State University vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Worcester State University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Worcester State University 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).

• The graduation rate at Worcester State University is the same as at Penn State Lehigh Valley (47% vs. 47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Worcester State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $6,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($206 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Worcester State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.