Lehigh vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

Compare Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Lehigh vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine than Lehigh ($22,710 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 15.9% lower than at Lehigh University ($14,474 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 327.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $49,772 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.9% higher at Lehigh than at Penn State Brandywine (about $39,588 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Brandywine than at Lehigh University (73% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 412.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($46,731 vs. $9,113).

Lehigh vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lehigh or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine and Lehigh.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 240 points higher than at Penn State Brandywine (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Lehigh vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $33,900 more per year than Penn State Brandywine graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,562 lower median loan debt than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($250 vs. $277).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 69%)

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.