Lehigh vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Providence College 11:1.

Lehigh vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or Providence? 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 Providence ($34,154 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 3.5% lower than at Providence College ($17,220 vs. $17,840).
• Lehigh University is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $1,430 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Lehigh than at Providence College (about $1,430 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Lehigh University (83% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 46.6% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($46,731 vs. $31,873).

Lehigh vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 120 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Lehigh vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and Providence? 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 Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $21,200 more per year than Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $68,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,744 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($24,256 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.