Williams vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, 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 Williams based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Williams vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Williams 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 Williams College than Lehigh ($15,894 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 0.2% lower than at Williams College ($17,220 vs. $17,260).
• Williams College is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehigh (about $3,580 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Williams than at Lehigh University (about $3,580 more per year; $68,560.00 vs. $64,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Williams College (65% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 47.6% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($68,966 vs. $46,731).

Williams vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Williams 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 Williams.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Williams College (1530) is 90 points higher than at Lehigh (1440).
• Incoming Williams 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: Williams College 1490/1570; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Williams College 34/35; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Williams - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Williams students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Williams (8.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Williams vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Williams 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).

• Williams College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Lehigh University's (87%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Williams graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $73,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $9,674 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($14,582 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($150 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.