Colgate vs. Lehigh

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

Colgate University
Lehigh University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 25.9%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $34,154 at Lehigh.
  • Graduation: Colgate 92% vs Lehigh 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colgate $75,300 vs Lehigh $89,200 (median).
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Key differences

Colgate University Lehigh University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Colgate13.9%
Lehigh25.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Colgate1430-1540
Lehigh1370-1500
Average net price
Colgate $5,418 less
Colgate$28,736
Lehigh$34,154
In-state tuition
Lehigh $5,326 less
Colgate$70,306
Lehigh$64,980
Out-of-state tuition
Lehigh $5,326 less
Colgate$70,306
Lehigh$64,980
Graduation rate
Colgate +5 pts
Colgate92%
Lehigh87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lehigh +$13,900
Colgate$75,300
Lehigh$89,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Lehigh 20,396
  • Admitted
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Lehigh 5,289
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Lehigh 25.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Lehigh 28.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colgate 1490
  • Lehigh 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colgate 33
  • Lehigh 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Lehigh 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colgate A-
  • Lehigh A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Lehigh Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Colgate Very High
  • Lehigh High
  • SAT range
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • Lehigh 1370-1500
  • ACT range
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Lehigh 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Lehigh Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Lehigh Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Room & board
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Lehigh $17,220
  • Average net price
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Lehigh $34,154
  • Average grant aid
  • Colgate $58,334
  • Lehigh $46,731
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colgate 43%
  • Lehigh 65%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colgate 92%
  • Lehigh 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Lehigh $89,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colgate 86%
  • Lehigh 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Lehigh $24,256
  • Median loan payment
  • Colgate $166
  • Lehigh $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Lehigh 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Lehigh
    • Business (34%)
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Biology (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Lehigh Bethlehem, PA
  • Setting
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Lehigh Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Lehigh 7,692
  • Type
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • Lehigh Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colgate #30
  • Lehigh #53

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, NY with Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Lehigh University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
  • Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 2.2% lower than at Colgate University ($17,220 vs. $17,610).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Colgate than at Lehigh University (about $5,326 more per year; $70,306 vs. $64,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Colgate University (65% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 24.8% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($58,334 vs. $46,731).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Colgate than at Lehigh (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Colgate and Lehigh.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lehigh average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Colgate (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $8,131 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($16,125 vs. $24,256).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($166 vs. $250).
  • More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 86%).

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

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