Bard College vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bard College 9:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Bard College vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bard College 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 Bard College than Lehigh ($29,320 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 8.7% lower than at Bard College ($17,220 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $1,456 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Bard College than at Lehigh University (about $1,456 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Lehigh University (74% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 18.2% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($55,235 vs. $46,731).

Bard College vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bard College 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 Bard College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 80 points higher than at Bard College (1360).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Bard College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 1270/1450; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bard College 28/32; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bard College - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Bard College has a higher acceptance rate (52.1%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at Bard College vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Bard College vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bard College 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).

• Lehigh University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $47,600 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $1,938 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($250 vs. $270).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.