Wake Forest vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wake Forest University is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 7,692 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Wake Forest vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest University than Lehigh ($24,401 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 6.9% lower than at Wake Forest University ($17,220 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $2,662 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Wake Forest than at Lehigh University (about $2,662 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Wake Forest University (65% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 35.1% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($63,117 vs. $46,731).

Wake Forest vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 30 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Wake Forest 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: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Wake Forest vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $1,256 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($237 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.