Amherst vs. Lehigh

Amherst College and Lehigh University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Lehigh University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 25.9%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $34,154 at Lehigh.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Lehigh 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Lehigh $89,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Amherst College Lehigh University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Lehigh25.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Lehigh1370-1500
Average net price
Amherst $15,105 less
Amherst$19,049
Lehigh$34,154
In-state tuition
Lehigh $5,500 less
Amherst$70,480
Lehigh$64,980
Out-of-state tuition
Lehigh $5,500 less
Amherst$70,480
Lehigh$64,980
Graduation rate
Amherst +9 pts
Amherst96%
Lehigh87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lehigh +$7,200
Amherst$82,000
Lehigh$89,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Amherst and Lehigh with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Amherst Check my chances at Lehigh
  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Lehigh 20,396
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Lehigh 5,289
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Lehigh 25.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Lehigh 28.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Lehigh 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Lehigh 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Lehigh 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Lehigh A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Lehigh Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Lehigh High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Lehigh 1370-1500
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Lehigh 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Lehigh Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Lehigh Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Lehigh $17,220
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Lehigh $34,154
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Lehigh $46,731
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Lehigh 65%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Lehigh 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Lehigh $89,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Lehigh 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Lehigh $24,256
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Lehigh $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Lehigh 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Lehigh
    • Business (34%)
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Biology (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Lehigh Bethlehem, PA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Lehigh Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Lehigh 7,692
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Lehigh Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Lehigh #53

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 6.4% lower than at Amherst College ($17,220 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Amherst than at Lehigh University (about $5,500 more per year; $70,480 vs. $64,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Amherst College (65% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 46.8% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($68,591 vs. $46,731).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Amherst than at Lehigh (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Lehigh.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Lehigh (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $11,281 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($12,975 vs. $24,256).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($134 vs. $250).
  • More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Amherst College
Lehigh University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges