Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley

Penn State Lehigh Valley offers the renowned Penn State experience with a local, community-focused touch. Located in Center Valley, it serves as a vital educational hub for the region, providing diverse academic programs and extensive continuing education opportunities. Known for its smaller class sizes and personalized attention, it allows students to begin their Penn State journey close to home, fostering a supportive environment for academic growth.

The campus boasts a rich history spanning over a century, beginning in 1912 as Penn State's first permanent branch school in Allentown. It initially offered evening engineering courses, adapting through the decades to provide professional training, support returning World War II veterans with accelerated programs, and expand its curriculum to include associate and later, full four-year baccalaureate degrees. This evolution demonstrates its enduring commitment to meeting the changing educational and workforce needs of the Lehigh Valley.

Today, Penn State Lehigh Valley provides access to a wide array of Penn State's academic offerings. While serving as a common starting point for students who plan to transition to another Penn State campus after their first two years, it also provides several complete four-year baccalaureate degree programs directly on its modern Center Valley campus. With approximately 900 undergraduate students, the campus fosters a close-knit environment where students can thrive, benefit from dedicated faculty, and engage deeply with their studies. Its substantial continuing education programs further highlight its role as a lifelong learning resource for the community, educating an additional 3,000 students annually.

Students at Penn State Lehigh Valley benefit from a vibrant campus life in modern facilities, which more than doubled its previous space when it moved to Center Valley in 2009. This move consolidated programs and created an enhanced learning environment, truly making it a comprehensive resource for students and professionals in the region.