Lehigh vs. Saint Joseph's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA with Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lehigh University is larger than Saint Joseph's University based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 7,159 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 11:1.

Lehigh vs. Saint Joseph's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lehigh or Saint Joseph's University? 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 Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than Lehigh ($31,205 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia are 5.7% lower than at Lehigh University ($16,240 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 22% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saint Joseph's University (about $11,720 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $53,260.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22% higher at Lehigh than at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia (about $11,720 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $53,260.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than at Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 26.4% larger than aid received by Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia students ($46,731 vs. $36,964).

Lehigh vs. Saint Joseph's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lehigh or Saint Joseph's University? 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 Saint Joseph's University and Lehigh.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 180 points higher than at Saint Joseph's University (1260).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Saint Joseph's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 1370/1500; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 1170/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lehigh University 31/34; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lehigh - Test optional; Saint Joseph's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; Saint Joseph's University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Saint Joseph's University (3.65).
• Saint Joseph's University has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 14.1% at Saint Joseph's University.

Lehigh vs. Saint Joseph's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lehigh and Saint Joseph's University? 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).

• Lehigh University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia's (76%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $25,200 more per year than Saint Joseph's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia graduates have a $1,248 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($23,008 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Saint Joseph's University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($237 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Joseph's University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 78%)

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.