Lehigh vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

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

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Lehigh vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or Jefferson? 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 Thomas Jefferson University than Lehigh ($29,325 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 8% lower than at Lehigh University ($15,834 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 36.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jefferson (about $17,475 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.8% higher at Lehigh than at Thomas Jefferson University (about $17,475 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 33.5% larger than aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students ($46,731 vs. $35,007).

Lehigh vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 190 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Lehigh vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $33,700 more per year than Lehigh graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $89,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $11,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($12,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($129 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jefferson students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.