SCU vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Clara University is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 7,692 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

SCU vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU 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 SCU ($34,154 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 13.4% lower than at Santa Clara University ($17,220 vs. $19,893).
• Lehigh University is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $3,687 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Lehigh than at Santa Clara University (about $3,687 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at Lehigh University (71% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 64.7% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($46,731 vs. $28,368).

SCU vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCU or Lehigh? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lehigh and SCU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 20 points higher than at SCU (1420).
• Incoming SCU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at Lehigh (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Santa Clara University 1350/1490; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Santa Clara University 31/33; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Lehigh students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

SCU vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU and Lehigh? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Lehigh University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Santa Clara University's (85%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than SCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $81,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $2,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, SCU 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 SCU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.