Type
Public university
Location
Lock Haven, PA
Acceptance rate
97%
Undergrad enrollment
2,670
Lock Haven University is a public, comprehensive university in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). It enrolls about 2,670 undergraduates in Lock Haven, a small city in central Pennsylvania, and is known for its education, health sciences, and aviation programs.
For 2026–27, Lock Haven charges approximately $11,000 in tuition and fees for Pennsylvania residents and roughly $22,000 for out-of-state students. With on-campus housing, a meal plan, and the standard allowance for books, transportation, and personal expenses, the total cost of attendance runs around $25,000 in-state and $36,000 out-of-state.
Lock Haven participates in the PHEAA state grant program, the federal Pell Grant, and PASSHE institutional aid. The average net price for in-state students with family income under $48,000 is below $15,000 per year, and for students with family income under $30,000 the average net price is below $10,000.
Tuition & fees
$18,040
Out-of-state · in-state $7,584
Total cost of attendance
$35,340
Tuition + housing + food + transport + other
Net price (after avg aid)
$27,340
After $8,000 average grant aid
Show full cost breakdown
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees (out-of-state) | $18,040 |
| In-state tuition (PA) | $7,584 |
| Housing | $7,500 |
| Food and meal plan | $5,100 |
| Transportation | $1,200 |
| Books and other | $3,500 |
| Total annual cost | $35,340 |
Lock Haven University offers need-based and merit-based aid, but does not guarantee full need met.
Pell Grant
Typical award: $7,395 / yr
Pennsylvania State Grant
Typical award: $4,800 / yr
Nursing (BSN)
Bachelor'sCCNE-accredited BSN program with clinical placements at Geisinger and UPMC.
Program pageComputer Science (BS)
Bachelor'sSmaller, hands-on CS program. Strong support for first-generation students.
Program pageElementary Education (BSEd)
Bachelor'sPA-certified teacher prep with field placements in nearby districts starting sophomore year.
Program pageSport Management (BS)
Bachelor'sStrong athletic-administration and coaching track. Field placements in D-II athletics.
Program pageInformation Technology (BS)
Bachelor'sNetwork administration and cybersecurity concentration with PCEP and CompTIA prep.
Program page
Regular decision deadline
Rolling (priority: December 1 for Fall)
GPA (middle 50%)
2.8 – 3.5 weighted (test-optional)
Test policy
Test-optional
“I picked Lock Haven for the in-state cost. My nursing cohort had 24 students and I knew every professor by name. PHEAA covered tuition and I graduated with $8,000 in loans.”
Senior, Nursing
“I started at a Commonwealth campus and transferred here. Same tuition rate but smaller classes. The transition was painless.”
Junior, Education
“I picked Lock Haven over a bigger school for the affordability. I commute from State College and it's a 40-minute drive. Saved me housing and got me in-state tuition.”
Sophomore, Computer Science
6-year grad rate
55%
Median starting salary
$48,200
10-year ROI (net)
$124,000
Top-paying majors
- Nursing (BSN)$72,800
- Computer Science$68,400
- Information Technology$64,200
- Business Administration$52,800
- Elementary Education$46,200
Where grads go: Geisinger Health, UPMC, PA Department of Education, Price Chopper, State Farm.
| School | Tuition | Type | Why compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lock Haven University | $18,040 | Public | You are here |
| Penn State Commonwealth Campuses | Open the calculator | — | Pennsylvania public alternative at a slightly different price point. |
| Mansfield University | Open the calculator | — | PASSHE peer with comparable cost and small-school experience. |
| Lock Haven Clearfield | Open the calculator | — | Same university, branch campus for first- and second-year students. |
Open the calculator, add Lock Haven and one of the peers above, and the cost engine will fill in tuition, net price, and your loan gap automatically.
Lock Haven University operates across multiple campuses and program modalities. Each entry below has its own published cost of attendance.
Official
Lock Haven University Admissions
Apply, check deadlines, and review freshman and transfer admission requirements.
Financial aid
Lock Haven Financial Aid Office
Apply for aid, view cost of attendance, and accept your federal loans.
Calculator
Lock Haven Net Price Calculator
Personalized cost estimate based on family income, residency, and intended program.
Policy
PHEAA State Grant Program
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency — the state's main need-based grant program.
Financial aid
FAFSA on the Web
Required for federal grants, work-study, federal loans, and PHEAA state grant eligibility.
Policy
PASSHE State System
Lock Haven is part of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. System policies affect tuition and transfer between PASSHE schools.
How much is Lock Haven in-state tuition for 2026–27?
What does Lock Haven charge out-of-state students?
Is Lock Haven test-optional?
What is the average net price at Lock Haven?
What GPA do you need for Lock Haven?
Does Lock Haven meet full demonstrated need?
Talk with Lock Haven students about real cost of attendance
If you graduated from Lock Haven, share your year, residency, and what you actually paid per year after aid. PHEAA and PASSHE aid stacks differently for every family.
Open the community thread