Babson vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Babson College in Wellesley, MA with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than Babson based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 3,932 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Babson College 15:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Babson vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Babson or Lehigh? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Babson College than Lehigh ($32,019 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 20.1% lower than at Babson College ($17,220 vs. $21,550).
• Lehigh University is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $7,828 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at Lehigh than at Babson College (about $7,828 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Babson College (65% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Babson College students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($48,173 vs. $46,731).

Babson vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Babson or Lehigh? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lehigh and Babson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Babson College (1460) is 20 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Babson students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Lehigh (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 1390/1530; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 31/34; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Babson - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Babson (3.79).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Babson (17.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Babson vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Babson and Lehigh? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Babson College's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than Lehigh graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $89,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $1,744 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Babson students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.