Columbia vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Columbia vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Lehigh ($22,520 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 2% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($17,220 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $6,865 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at Columbia than at Lehigh University (about $6,865 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Columbia University in the City of New York (65% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 43.4% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($67,010 vs. $46,731).

Columbia vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 110 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Columbia 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: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Columbia vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $18,400 more per year than Lehigh graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $89,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $2,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($222 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.