Princeton vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Princeton vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Lehigh ($15,313 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 15% lower than at Princeton University ($17,220 vs. $20,250).
• Lehigh University is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $2,292 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Lehigh than at Princeton University (about $2,292 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Lehigh University (67% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 47.1% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($68,727 vs. $46,731).

Princeton vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 110 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Lehigh).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Princeton vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $24,700 more per year than Lehigh graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $89,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $16,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($7,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $173 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($77 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.