Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley
- Graduation Rate
- 18% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $63,435 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,220 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 97% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $20.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,407,200.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduates earn 56% more than the national college median.
-
Graduation of 18% — 69% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $20.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Enrollment
- 859
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Psychology, Health Professions
Why students choose Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 97% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1130–1320. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,220 a year after grants and scholarships — 6% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $63,435 ten years after enrolling — 56% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 97%, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is an accessible choice for students looking for a supportive environment. It’s a good fit for those who want to dive into fields like Business and Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, or Computer Science and IT. The smaller enrollment of 859 students means there’s a chance for more personalized attention, which can be a big plus for many.
When we look at what life after graduation looks like, the average earnings 10 years out sit at $63,435. This figure is worth noting because it gives a sense of the potential financial return on your investment in education here. Although the graduation rate is on the lower side at 18%, it’s important to remember that those who do graduate can find themselves in a solid financial position.
On the practical side, the net price after aid comes to about $18,220, which is manageable compared to many other options. The median debt for graduates is around $25,000, a figure that can feel daunting but is often in line with student loan averages. Students who thrive here tend to be self-motivated and engaged, ready to take advantage of both the academic offerings and the supportive community.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley, located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,210. The graduation rate is roughly 18%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1210
- SAT Range
- 1130–1320
- Full-Time Faculty
- 55%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,550
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.68
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 1,806
- Admitted
- 1,699
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is $25,392, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,220. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,422 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $15,208
- Out-of-State
- $25,392
- Avg Net Price
- $18,220
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 43%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,422
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,319
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,438
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,539
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of $63,435, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $55,620
- 8 Years
- $60,370
- 10 Years
- $63,435
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (15)
- 7%
- 100% (15)
- 7%
- 100% (15)
- 7%
- 100% (15)
- 7%
How Pennsylvania Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,220/year ($72,880 total). Graduates earn $63,435 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,480,080 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,407,200 (20.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 18% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $72,880
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,480,080
- Net Return
- $1,407,200
- ROI Multiple
- 20.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,220
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 18%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 44% $77,248 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 20% $92,969 early-career
- Psychology 18% $36,254 early-career
- Health Professions 8% $34,303 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 8% $32,874 early-career
- Criminal Justice 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley, located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,210. The graduation rate is roughly 18%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley is $25,392, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,220. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,422 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley earn a median of $63,435, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley.
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State YorkYork, PA · Close peer14% grad $63,435 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State ScrantonDunmore, PA · Close peer35% grad $63,435 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State SchuylkillSchuylkill Haven, PA · Close peer26% grad $63,435 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BeaverMonaca, PA · Close peer21% grad $63,435 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BrandywineMedia, PA · Close peer24% grad $63,435 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HazletonHazleton, PA · Close peer22% grad $63,435 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
