Lehigh vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

Compare Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA with Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Lehigh vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee University than Lehigh ($23,055 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 7.8% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($17,220 vs. $18,685).
• Washington and Lee University is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $3,065 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Washington and Lee than at Lehigh University (about $3,065 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Washington and Lee University (65% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 36.8% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($63,945 vs. $46,731).

Lehigh vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 50 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Washington and Lee 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; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Lehigh vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and Washington and Lee? 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).

• Washington and Lee University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $200 more per year than Washington and Lee graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $89,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington and Lee University graduates have a $2,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Washington and Lee graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($222 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington and Lee students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.