Where is the Lehigh Valley campus?
Penn State Lehigh Valley is located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, just a few minutes from the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem. The campus's location in Center Valley puts you in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, near thriving athletic (Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, Allentown Phantoms), art and cultural (ArtsQuest, Miller Symphony Hall), and recreational (Dorney Park, The Promenade Shops) attractions. The presence of nationally recognized health care networks, Fortune 500 companies, and more than 14,000 Penn State alumni make the Lehigh Valley a desirable region to find an internship, network with mentors, and start a career. The Penn State Lehigh Valley campus is about an hour drive from Philadelphia and less than two hours’ drive from New York City.
What is a Commonwealth Campus?
A commonwealth campus is one of Penn State’s 19 undergraduate campuses outside of the University Park campus. Penn State University has 20 undergraduate campuses geographically dispersed in the state of Pennsylvania. All Penn State campuses offer diverse and unique educational experiences.
Am I able to study my major at the Penn State Lehigh Valley Campus?
At Penn State Lehigh Valley we offer multiple pathways for you to earn your Penn State degree -- you can choose from ten bachelor's degree programs, an associate degree program, multiple minors, and have access to the 275+ academic programs offered by Penn State. Penn State Lehigh Valley provides a Penn State education in an intimate setting that integrates individualized teaching, research, and community outreach.
What is the 2+2 program?
You can spend your first two years at Penn State Lehigh Valley and then transition to another of Penn State’s twenty undergraduate campuses, including University Park, for the remaining two years. We call this approach the 2+2 Plan, and it the most common path to a Penn State degree: More than 50 percent of students choose this option.
Once you enroll at your starting campus, you do not need to reapply for admission when it's time to move to your second campus. Students work with their academic advisers to complete the change of campus process. This process happens during the fourth semester (end of sophomore year) for most students, in anticipation of moving to the second campus for the fifth semester (junior year).
Your academic adviser will also make sure that you are on track to meet the entrance to major requirements for your chosen program. These requirements are the same whether you start at University Park or a Commonwealth campus.
Most of our majors can be started at any campus, where you will take your General Education and prerequisite courses for your major before moving to your ending campus to complete the remaining courses for your major.
Why Choose the 2+2 Plan?
Students choose the 2+2 Plan for many reasons; some for the location near major airports and cities, others to save money. Some are looking for a particular campus environment, smaller classes or particular majors. Whatever their reason and wherever their campus, they are excited to embark on their Penn State experience.
Can I graduate from University Park if I didn’t start at the University Park campus?
Yes, you can graduate from the University Park campus. You can transition to University Park upon completion of your first two years at Penn State Lehigh Valley and your entrance to major requirements for your specific major.
Where can I live if I attend the Penn State Lehigh Valley Campus?
While Penn State Lehigh Valley does not offer on-campus housing, there is plenty of off-campus housing available near campus and the surrounding areas. Penn State Lehigh Valley has partnered with Places4Students, a service that assists students with the search for off-campus housing accommodations, finding roommates, and posting student sublets.
Who can I contact if I have questions about off-campus housing?
Melissa Baker
Coordinator of Student Services
[email protected]
610-285-5000 - press 1, then 5, then 6
How can I get to campus if I don’t have a car?
How many students attend Penn State Lehigh Valley?
More than 900 students attend Penn State Lehigh Valley. Penn State Lehigh Valley offers students small class sizes, one-on-one attention from faculty, modern facilities, and a commitment to providing an education that emphasizes learning, leading, and living.
What student organizations and activities are offered at Penn State Lehigh Valley?
Penn State Lehigh Valley offers more than 30 clubs and organizations. Involvement in activities is an important step toward reaching and enhancing a student’s educational goals. At Penn State Lehigh Valley, our goal is to foster interpersonal and leadership skill development for your campus and career success.
Global Student Organization:
Global Student Organization (GSO) is a new organization on campus that brings together both domestic and international students to learn more about different cultures around the world. GSO’s goal is to provide a space on campus for students to be comfortable with their own culture, as well as learn how to be a global citizen by sharing and learning new beliefs. GSO hosts cultural events, such as the Chinese New Year luncheon and Multicultural Day Fair, and organizes academic trips like United Nations New York trip.
What are some of the things to do in the Lehigh Valley?
Check out all the things you can do here on the Discover Lehigh Valley website!
