Lehigh vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Lehigh vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Lehigh ($23,570 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 10.2% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($17,220 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $3,706 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Penn than at Lehigh University (about $3,706 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at University of Pennsylvania (65% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 40.1% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($65,458 vs. $46,731).

Lehigh vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 100 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Penn students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Lehigh).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 68% at Penn.

Lehigh vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $34,400 more per year than Lehigh graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $89,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,623 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($20,633 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($213 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.