SUNY Poly vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, 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 SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is located in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

SUNY Poly vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Poly 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 Polytechnic Institute than Lehigh ($14,782 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 3.7% lower than at Lehigh University ($16,584 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 653.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $56,355 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 206.3% higher at Lehigh than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $43,765 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 459.2% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($46,731 vs. $8,357).

SUNY Poly vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Poly 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 SUNY Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 240 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Poly - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at SUNY Poly vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

SUNY Poly vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Poly 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $36,000 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $7,671 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($16,585 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($171 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 63%)

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.