Carnegie Mellon vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon ($34,154 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 5.2% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($17,220 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $1,266 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Lehigh University (about $1,266 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Carnegie Mellon University (65% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 2.9% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($48,107 vs. $46,731).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 100 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Lehigh).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon 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).

• The graduation rate at Carnegie Mellon is the same as at Lehigh University (87% vs. 87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than Lehigh graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $89,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $1,994 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($250 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lehigh students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.