EC vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

EC vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC 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 Elmira College than Lehigh ($23,682 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 15.5% lower than at Lehigh University ($14,550 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 66.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $26,004 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.7% higher at Lehigh than at Elmira College (about $26,004 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 62.4% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($46,731 vs. $28,780).

EC vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC 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 EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 200 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

EC vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $43,200 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,744 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($24,256 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 72%)

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.