Wesleyan University vs. Lehigh

Deciding between Wesleyan University and Lehigh University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Wesleyan University
Lehigh University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
  • Lehigh Bethlehem, PA
  • Setting
  • Wesleyan University Small City
  • Lehigh Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wesleyan University 4,011
  • Lehigh 7,692
  • Type
  • Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Lehigh Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wesleyan University #36
  • Lehigh #53
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Lehigh -
  • Status
  • Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Lehigh Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wesleyan University
  • Lehigh
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Room & Board
  • Wesleyan University $19,872
  • Lehigh $17,220
  • Average Net Price
  • Wesleyan University $23,025
  • Lehigh $34,154
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University $65,995
  • Lehigh $46,731
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University 42%
  • Lehigh 65%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wesleyan University 14,389
  • Lehigh 20,396
  • Admitted
  • Wesleyan University 2,373
  • Lehigh 5,289
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wesleyan University 16.5%
  • Lehigh 25.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Wesleyan University 34.8%
  • Lehigh 28.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wesleyan University 1480
  • Lehigh 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wesleyan University 34
  • Lehigh 32
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Lehigh 3.81
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Lehigh A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wesleyan University Elite
  • Lehigh Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wesleyan University Very High
  • Lehigh High
  • ACT Range
  • Wesleyan University 33/35
  • Lehigh 31/34
  • SAT Range
  • Wesleyan University 1415/1540
  • Lehigh 1370/1500
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Lehigh Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027
  • Lehigh Jan 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wesleyan University 8:1
  • Lehigh 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wesleyan University
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Ethnic Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Lehigh
    • Business (34%)
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Biology (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wesleyan University 92%
  • Lehigh 87%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wesleyan University $58,000
  • Lehigh $89,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wesleyan University 89%
  • Lehigh 89%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wesleyan University $17,500
  • Lehigh $24,256
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wesleyan University $180
  • Lehigh $250
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wesleyan University 47%
  • Lehigh 52%
  • % Women
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Lehigh 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wesleyan University High
  • Lehigh Medium
  • HBCU
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Lehigh No
  • % White
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Lehigh 66%
  • % Asian
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Lehigh 9%
  • % Black
  • Wesleyan University 7%
  • Lehigh 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wesleyan University 11%
  • Lehigh 9%
  • % Native American
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Lehigh 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Lehigh 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wesleyan University 6%
  • Lehigh 3%
  • % International
  • Wesleyan University 9%
  • Lehigh 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wesleyan University 5%
  • Lehigh 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Lehigh 25%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wesleyan University 78%
  • Lehigh 69%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Lehigh Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Lehigh No
  • Meal Plan
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Lehigh Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Lehigh No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Lehigh Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
  • Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University than Lehigh ($23,025 vs. $34,154).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 13.3% lower than at Wesleyan University ($17,220 vs. $19,872).
  • Wesleyan University is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $5,362 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $64,980.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Wesleyan University than at Lehigh University (about $5,362 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $64,980.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Wesleyan University (65% vs. 42%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 41.2% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($65,995 vs. $46,731).

Wesleyan University vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 40 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
  • Incoming Wesleyan University 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: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Lehigh University 31/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
  • Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Wesleyan University vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University 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).

  • Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
  • Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $31,200 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $6,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($17,500 vs. $24,256).
  • Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($180 vs. $250).
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lehigh students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.