Lehigh vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Lehigh vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than Lehigh ($18,427 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 14.1% lower than at Lehigh University ($14,800 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 198% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $43,177 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Lehigh than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $5,468 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (65% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 62.7% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($46,731 vs. $28,715).

Lehigh vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 40 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming UVA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Lehigh).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 40% at UVA.

Lehigh vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than UVA graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $4,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, UVA 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 UVA 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.