Bentley vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Bentley University in Waltham, 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 Bentley based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 5,333 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Bentley vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley 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 Lehigh University than Bentley ($34,154 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 14.5% lower than at Bentley University ($17,220 vs. $20,140).
• Lehigh University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bentley (about $3,980 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Lehigh than at Bentley University (about $3,980 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $61,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at Lehigh University (88% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 38.8% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($46,731 vs. $33,673).

Bentley vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bentley or Lehigh? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lehigh and Bentley.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 80 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Bentley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bentley University 1280/1430; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Bentley University 28/31; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Lehigh students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Bentley (3.75).
• Bentley has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Bentley vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and Lehigh? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bentley University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Bentley graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $87,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,244 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($250 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lehigh students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 89%)

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.