IIT vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Institute of Technology is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (8,834 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

IIT vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology than Lehigh ($24,796 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 0.8% lower than at Illinois Institute of Technology ($17,220 vs. $17,356).
• Lehigh University is 24% more expensive for in-state tuition than IIT (about $12,594 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Lehigh than at Illinois Institute of Technology (about $12,594 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students ($46,731 vs. $44,547).

IIT vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IIT 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 IIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 130 points higher than at IIT (1310).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at IIT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IIT students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• IIT has a higher acceptance rate (54.9%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

IIT vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than IIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $79,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,744 lower median loan debt than IIT graduates ($24,256 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IIT graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IIT students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 81%)

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.