Maryland vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Maryland vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland 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 University of Maryland College Park than Lehigh ($16,581 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 7.3% lower than at Lehigh University ($15,958 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 450.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $53,171 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.8% higher at Lehigh than at University of Maryland College Park (about $23,794 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at University of Maryland College Park (65% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 263.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($46,731 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Maryland 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 Maryland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 30 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Lehigh).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Maryland students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Maryland vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland 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 University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $4,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($201 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.