Lehigh vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lehigh vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg than Lehigh ($23,788 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 15.9% lower than at Lehigh University ($14,474 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 306.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $49,008 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141% higher at Lehigh than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $38,022 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Penn State Harrisburg (65% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 405.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($46,731 vs. $9,245).

Lehigh vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 220 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

Lehigh vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $33,900 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($250 vs. $277).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg 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.