Lehigh vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Lehigh vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Lehigh ($22,469 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 15.2% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,220 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $514 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Swarthmore than at Lehigh University (about $514 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Swarthmore College (65% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 31.9% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($61,634 vs. $46,731).

Lehigh vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 90 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Lehigh).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Lehigh vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and Swarthmore? 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).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $4,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($201 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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.