Wellesley vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Wellesley based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,407 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College than Lehigh ($22,174 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 18.1% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,220 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $2,196 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Wellesley than at Lehigh University (about $2,196 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Wellesley College (65% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 37.2% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($64,116 vs. $46,731).

Wellesley vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 70 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley 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 Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Wellesley vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $15,356 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($8,900 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $158 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($92 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.