Lehigh vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 7,692 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Lehigh vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or SMU? 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 SMU ($34,154 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 9.7% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($17,220 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $2,060 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at SMU than at Lehigh University (about $2,060 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Lehigh University (67% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 24.5% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($46,731 vs. $37,520).

Lehigh vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lehigh or SMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SMU and Lehigh.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 20 points higher than at SMU (1420).
• Incoming Lehigh students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at SMU (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Lehigh University 31/34; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Lehigh students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Lehigh vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and SMU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Lehigh University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $2,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($222 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.