Wooster vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than Wooster based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 1,738 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of Wooster is located in Wooster, OH (Distant Town setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• The College of Wooster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of Wooster 10:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Wooster vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wooster 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 The College of Wooster than Lehigh ($28,004 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Wooster are 15.9% lower than at Lehigh University ($14,490 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wooster (about $3,340 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $61,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at Lehigh than at The College of Wooster (about $3,340 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $61,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Wooster than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Wooster students is 2% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($47,672 vs. $46,731).

Wooster vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wooster 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 Wooster.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 100 points higher than at Wooster (1340).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wooster).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Wooster 1220/1460; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Wooster 27/33; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wooster - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wooster Feb 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Wooster (3.76).
• Wooster has a higher acceptance rate (59.5%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at Wooster vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Wooster vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wooster 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 The College of Wooster's (75%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $38,000 more per year than Wooster graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $1,744 lower median loan debt than Wooster graduates ($24,256 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wooster graduates ($250 vs. $268).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wooster students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.