Union College vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Union College in Schenectady, 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 Union College based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union College is located in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union College 9:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Union College vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union 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 Lehigh University than Union College ($34,154 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 1.2% lower than at Lehigh University ($17,010 vs. $17,220).
• Union College is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $4,059 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Union College than at Lehigh University (about $4,059 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Lehigh University (96% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Union College students ($46,731 vs. $42,534).

Union College vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 40 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 1310/1480; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 29/33; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union College - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Union College vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Union College vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union 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 Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Union College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $2,744 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($24,256 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.