Purchase College vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Purchase College vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Lehigh ($18,211 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 4.6% lower than at Lehigh University ($16,436 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 625.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $56,027 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 238.4% higher at Lehigh than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $45,777 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Lehigh University (72% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 348% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($46,731 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College 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 Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 160 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Purchase College vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $49,000 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $1,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($232 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 65%)

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.