RIT vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

RIT vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT 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 Lehigh University than RIT ($34,154 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 6.3% lower than at Lehigh University ($16,142 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $5,706 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at Lehigh than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $5,706 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Lehigh University (98% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($46,731 vs. $35,077).

RIT vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIT 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 RIT .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 60 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

RIT vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT 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 Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $24,300 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $3,744 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($24,256 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($250 vs. $289).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 75%)

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.