Emerson vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Emerson vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Emerson ($34,154 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 17.7% lower than at Emerson College ($17,220 vs. $20,920).
• Lehigh University is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $7,924 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Lehigh than at Emerson College (about $7,924 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Lehigh University (77% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 73.1% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($46,731 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 90 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Emerson vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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 Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $40,000 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($242 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.