Lehigh vs. Swarthmore

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

Lehigh University
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 25.9%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $34,154 at Lehigh.
  • Graduation: Lehigh 87% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lehigh $89,200 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Lehigh University Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Lehigh25.9%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Lehigh1370-1500
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Swarthmore $11,685 less
Lehigh$34,154
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Lehigh $514 less
Lehigh$64,980
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Lehigh $514 less
Lehigh$64,980
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +8 pts
Lehigh87%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lehigh +$23,400
Lehigh$89,200
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lehigh 20,396
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Lehigh 5,289
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lehigh 25.9%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lehigh 28.4%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lehigh 1440
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lehigh 32
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lehigh 3.81
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lehigh A-
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Lehigh Exceptional
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Lehigh High
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Lehigh 1370-1500
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Lehigh 31-34
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Lehigh Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lehigh Jan 1, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Lehigh $17,220
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Lehigh $34,154
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Lehigh $46,731
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lehigh 65%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lehigh 87%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lehigh $89,200
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lehigh 89%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lehigh $24,256
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Lehigh $250
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lehigh 10:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lehigh
    • Business (34%)
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Biology (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Lehigh Bethlehem, PA
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Lehigh Small City
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Lehigh 7,692
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Lehigh Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lehigh #53
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lehigh University 10:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 15.2% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,220 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Swarthmore than at Lehigh University (about $514 more per year; $65,494 vs. $64,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Swarthmore College (65% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 31.9% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($61,634 vs. $46,731).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Swarthmore than at Lehigh (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lehigh and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lehigh Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Lehigh (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.4% at Lehigh vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $4,756 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,256).
  • Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($201 vs. $250).
  • More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 87%).

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

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