Emerson vs. Lehigh

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

Emerson College
Lehigh University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lehigh (25.9% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1440 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Lehigh. Average net price is $34,154 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Lehigh 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Lehigh $89,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Emerson College Lehigh University
Acceptance rate
Lehigh more selective
Emerson51.3%
Lehigh25.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lehigh higher
Emerson1270-1420
Lehigh1370-1500
Average net price
Lehigh $19,278 less
Emerson$53,432
Lehigh$34,154
In-state tuition
Emerson $7,924 less
Emerson$57,056
Lehigh$64,980
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $7,924 less
Emerson$57,056
Lehigh$64,980
Graduation rate
Lehigh +6 pts
Emerson81%
Lehigh87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lehigh +$40,000
Emerson$49,200
Lehigh$89,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Emerson Check my chances at Lehigh
  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Lehigh 20,396
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Lehigh 5,289
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Lehigh 25.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Lehigh 28.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Lehigh 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Lehigh 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Lehigh 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Lehigh A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Lehigh Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Lehigh High
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Lehigh 1370-1500
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Lehigh 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Lehigh Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Lehigh Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Lehigh $17,220
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Lehigh $34,154
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Lehigh $46,731
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Lehigh 65%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Lehigh 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Lehigh $89,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Lehigh 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Lehigh $24,256
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Lehigh $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Lehigh 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Lehigh
    • Business (34%)
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Biology (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Lehigh Bethlehem, PA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Lehigh Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Lehigh 7,692
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Lehigh Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Lehigh #53

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, 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 Emerson based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 17.7% lower than at Emerson College ($17,220 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Lehigh than at Emerson College (about $7,924 more per year; $64,980 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Lehigh University (77% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 73.1% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($46,731 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Lehigh than at Emerson (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Lehigh.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lehigh average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,256).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($242 vs. $250).
  • More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 80%).

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.

Emerson College
Lehigh University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges