MHC vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

MHC vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC or Lehigh? 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 Mount Holyoke College than Lehigh ($32,526 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 12.5% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($17,220 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $2,038 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at MHC than at Lehigh University (about $2,038 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at Lehigh University (77% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 12.2% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($52,418 vs. $46,731).

MHC vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 20 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming MHC 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: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

MHC vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC and Lehigh? 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $39,200 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $3,050 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($21,206 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($219 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 77%)

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.