Dickinson College vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Dickinson College vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson 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 Lehigh University than Dickinson College ($34,154 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 0.7% lower than at Lehigh University ($17,100 vs. $17,220).
• Dickinson College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $670 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Dickinson College than at Lehigh University (about $670 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Lehigh University (96% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 5.1% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($46,731 vs. $44,479).

Dickinson College vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 50 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Dickinson College vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson 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 Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $27,200 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $3,256 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($21,000 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($217 vs. $250).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lehigh students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.