Lehigh vs. Penn State York

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Penn State York is in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Penn State York 14:1.

Lehigh vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or Penn State York? 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 York than Lehigh ($18,887 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York are 11.3% lower than at Lehigh University ($15,274 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 327.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State York (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 York (about $39,588 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State York than at Lehigh University (80% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 433.7% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($46,731 vs. $8,756).

Lehigh vs. Penn State York Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 290 points higher than at Penn State York (1150).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at Penn State York).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Penn State York 1050/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; Penn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Penn State York - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 10.7% at Penn State York.

Lehigh vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and Penn State York? 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 York's (45%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $33,900 more per year than Penn State York 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 York graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State York graduates ($250 vs. $277).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York 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.