Washington College vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Washington College based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington College 8:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Washington College vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington 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 Washington College than Lehigh ($29,830 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 5.6% lower than at Washington College ($17,220 vs. $18,250).
• Lehigh University is 17.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $9,654 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.4% higher at Lehigh than at Washington College (about $9,654 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Washington College students ($46,731 vs. $43,485).

Washington College vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 170 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Washington College (3.71).
• Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Washington College vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington 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 Washington College's (75%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $38,400 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington College graduates have a $6 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($24,250 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Lehigh University and Washington College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($250 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 85%)

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.