Fordham vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fordham vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fordham 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 Fordham ($34,154 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 28.5% lower than at Fordham University ($17,220 vs. $24,090).
• Lehigh University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $65 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Lehigh than at Fordham University (about $65 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Lehigh University (95% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 29.9% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($46,731 vs. $35,988).

Fordham vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fordham 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 Fordham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 40 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 1320/1480; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 30/33; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fordham - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fordham Jan 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Fordham vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Fordham vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fordham 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $25,000 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $1,744 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 77%)

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.