Lehigh vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lehigh vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Lehigh ($21,267 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 30.7% lower than at Lehigh University ($11,930 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 73.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $27,480 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.3% higher at Lehigh than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $27,480 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 56.2% larger than aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students ($46,731 vs. $29,923).

Lehigh vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 190 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Lehigh vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and VWC? 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).

• Lehigh University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $47,500 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,744 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($24,256 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 57%)

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.