Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania (LHU), affectionately known as “The Haven,” is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The System was established in 1983 with the joining of 13 independent universities. Today, the System offers the most affordable four-year degree in the state, as well as system-wide resources like a linked Keystone Library Network and an extensive alumni base.
| Overall Score (about) | 80.0 |
| Total Cost On-Campus Attendance | $26,893 |
| Admission Success rate | N/A |
| ACT / SAT 75%ile scores | 25 / 1110 |
| Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty | 15 : 1 |
| Retention (full-time / part-time) | 65% / 33% |
| Enrollment Total (all students) | 3,418 |
LHU offers majors and specialized majors across two colleges: the College of Education and Human Services and the College of Arts and Sciences. Students can choose to major in one discipline or graduate with a double major or a major and a minor. There are also six associate degree programs in various topics of healthcare, nursing, criminal justice, management, and nanotechnology.
The College of Education and Human Services offers students a chance to study in practical fields that connect with people. Students can choose from degrees in health science, education, and management. These tracks can be further specialized with minors in different topics, and students can participate in hands-on activities to increase their practical knowledge.
The College of Arts and Sciences is the larger of the two colleges, and it offers classes in a wide range of subjects and academic disciplines. Students who wish to major in anything from Biology or Engineering to Psychology or Theatre can do so here. This College is also where students can find pre-law, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, and other pre-professional programs.
Exceptional students may be eligible for the LHU Honors Program, which seeks to expand and challenge traditional college coursework for students who want that extra intellectual push. Honors students can take advanced courses, attend regional and national conferences, participate in activity groups, or even take advantage of the PASSHE Summer Honors Program for select students. Members of the Honors Program also get to register for classes early and participate in special events throughout the year.
Students have access to a number of academic resources at LHU. Professional, trained staff are available to help students with everything from academic advising to personal counseling. Whenever a student needs assistance with a particular subject, he or she can take advantage of the Tutorial Center’s services for free peer tutoring. The Math Center and the Writing Center can help students work on tasks like lengthy math problem sets and planning out term papers. At any time, students are encouraged to seek the guidance and support of the Academic Advising Center and its trained staff.
Every student at LHU is required to complete an internship, field experience, or student teaching placement to earn external experience credits before graduation. This guarantees that every member of the LHU community will graduate with tangible, usable real-world experience, making them more aware of their chosen career fields and more attractive to potential employers. As a testament to the program’s effectiveness, more than 95% of LHU graduate are in graduate school, in the military, or employed.
LHU is a competitive admissions school, meaning that not every student who applies will be offered a spot in the program. In general, applicants will need to have a strong academic background and a vivid personality or set of extracurriculars. To apply, students should complete the online application or print it out and submit it in person. They will also need to submit a high school transcript or GED score report, SAT or ACT scores, and optional letters of recommendation and personal essays. LHU reviews applications on a rolling basis, so in general students receive decisions within four to eight weeks of applying.
Much of student life at LHU centers around the residence hall. The campus offers six traditional halls and one apartment complex, so students can choose from a variety of buildings and locations when deciding whether to live on campus. On-campus students can easily meet up with friends at a dining hall, walk to the gym, head to a club meeting, or roll out of bed right before classes. Residence halls tend to have a strong community spirit with lots of activities and events, and there are also many campus-wide events of all types, from karaoke nights and ice cream socials to trivia contests and pool tournaments.
Students who choose to get a meal plan at LHU have a lot to choose from. There are different levels of meal plan types to suit different lifestyles. There is also a wide variety of on-campus dining halls, including World’s Fair, which offers delicacies from around the world, and Quiznos, a national food chain with grab-and-go options.
Beyond residence life, there are more than 120 opportunities for students to get involved with clubs and organizations on campus, from Greek societies to club sports and the fly fishing club. If you can’t find something that interests you, don’t worry – it’s easy to start a new club!
The faculty at LHU is chosen for their commitment to putting teaching before research, which means that they will be more committed to taking their classes and students seriously. Of the 270 faculty members, more than 75% have earned a doctorate or terminal degree in their field of expertise. Professors are very available to students at all times, both inside and outside the classroom. They are also able to act as mentors to students seeking academic and career help. All classes are taught by professors rather than graduate assistants. Since classes average only 25 students, there’s a good chance that you will grow close to many of your professors, perhaps even performing research with them or acting as their assistant.
LHU is located in Lock Haven, an area with a sizable downtown, community events, and lots of good restaurants and shops. Students can get to the downtown area with a short walk or trolley ride, then enjoy the cafes, coffee shops, clothing stores, and movie theatre. There are also dozens of community events like parades, concerts, and the Labor Day Boat Regatta, which take place throughout the year.
For students who prefer a more outdoorsy lifestyle, the Susquehanna River offers dozens of opportunities for water fun like boating, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. There are also a number of walking and biking trails in the area’s mountains and parks. Adventurous students will even find opportunities to ski – the Ski and Snowboarding Club takes frequent trips to nearby lodges.
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