Vassar vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, 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 Vassar based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Vassar College 7:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Vassar vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vassar 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 Vassar College than Lehigh ($29,981 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 5.6% lower than at Vassar College ($17,220 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $6,050 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at Vassar than at Lehigh University (about $6,050 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Vassar College (65% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 22.9% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($57,443 vs. $46,731).

Vassar vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vassar 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 Vassar.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 60 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Lehigh).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 1450/1550; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 33/35; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vassar - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Vassar vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Vassar vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vassar 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $30,800 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $8,476 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($15,780 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($163 vs. $250).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lehigh students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 89%)

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.