Lehigh vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Lehigh vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or Olin College? 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 Olin College ($34,154 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 17.3% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($17,220 vs. $20,810).
• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $1,418 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Olin College than at Lehigh University (about $1,418 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($46,731 vs. $43,290).

Lehigh vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 90 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Olin College (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Lehigh vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and Olin College? 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $9,546 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($14,710 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($152 vs. $250).

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.