Lehigh vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Bridgewater College is in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Bridgewater College 13:1.

Lehigh vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or BC? 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 Bridgewater College than Lehigh ($11,316 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater College are 13.8% lower than at Lehigh University ($14,850 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 303.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $48,890 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 303.9% higher at Lehigh than at Bridgewater College (about $48,890 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bridgewater College students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($47,288 vs. $46,731).

Lehigh vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lehigh or BC? 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 BC and Lehigh.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 250 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at BC (3.61).
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 10.1% at BC.

Lehigh vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and BC? 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 Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $46,100 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,744 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($24,256 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC 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.