City College of New York vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

CUNY City College is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY City College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY City College 15:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

City College of New York vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City College of New York 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 CUNY City College than Lehigh ($4,664 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 8.6% lower than at CUNY City College ($17,220 vs. $18,840).
• Lehigh University is 785.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $57,640 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 325% higher at Lehigh than at CUNY City College (about $49,690 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY City College than at Lehigh University (88% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 378.7% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($46,731 vs. $9,763).

City College of New York vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, City College of New York 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 City College of New York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 190 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY City College 1070/1430; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: City College of New York - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: City College of New York Feb 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• City College of New York has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at City College of New York vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

City College of New York vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City College of New York 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 CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $39,400 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $12,856 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($11,400 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $133 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($117 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 52%)

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.