U of R vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Rochester in Rochester, NY with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Rochester is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

U of R vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 U of R ($34,154 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 13% lower than at University of Rochester ($17,220 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $2,100 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at U of R than at Lehigh University (about $2,100 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Lehigh University (72% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 2.7% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($46,731 vs. $45,500).

U of R vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 40 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming U of R students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Lehigh (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

U of R vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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 Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lehigh University graduates have a $244 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($24,256 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Lehigh graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($250 vs. $253).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.