Lehigh vs. SMU

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

Lehigh University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lehigh (25.9% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1440 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Lehigh. Average net price is $34,154 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Lehigh 87% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lehigh $89,200 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Lehigh University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Lehigh more selective
Lehigh25.9%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lehigh higher
Lehigh1370-1500
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Lehigh $14,025 less
Lehigh$34,154
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
Lehigh $2,060 less
Lehigh$64,980
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
Lehigh $2,060 less
Lehigh$64,980
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Lehigh +12 pts
Lehigh87%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lehigh +$16,200
Lehigh$89,200
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Lehigh Check my chances at SMU
  • Applied
  • Lehigh 20,396
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Lehigh 5,289
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lehigh 25.9%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lehigh 28.4%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lehigh 1440
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lehigh 32
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lehigh 3.81
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lehigh A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Lehigh Exceptional
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Lehigh High
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Lehigh 1370-1500
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Lehigh 31-34
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Lehigh Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lehigh Jan 1, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Lehigh $17,220
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Lehigh $34,154
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Lehigh $46,731
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lehigh 65%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lehigh 87%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lehigh $89,200
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lehigh 89%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lehigh $24,256
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Lehigh $250
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lehigh 10:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lehigh
    • Business (34%)
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Biology (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Lehigh Bethlehem, PA
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Lehigh Small City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Lehigh 7,692
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Lehigh Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lehigh #53
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 7,692 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 9.7% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($17,220 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at SMU than at Lehigh University (about $2,060 more per year; $67,040 vs. $64,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Lehigh University (67% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 24.5% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($46,731 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Lehigh students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at SMU (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lehigh and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lehigh average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $2,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,256).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($222 vs. $250).
  • More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 76%).

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.

Lehigh University
Southern Methodist University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges