Williams vs. Lehigh

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

Williams College
Lehigh University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 25.9%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $34,154 at Lehigh.
  • Graduation: Williams 95% vs Lehigh 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Williams $73,600 vs Lehigh $89,200 (median).
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Key differences

Williams College Lehigh University
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Williams8.3%
Lehigh25.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Williams1490-1570
Lehigh1370-1500
Average net price
Williams $18,260 less
Williams$15,894
Lehigh$34,154
In-state tuition
Lehigh $3,580 less
Williams$68,560
Lehigh$64,980
Out-of-state tuition
Lehigh $3,580 less
Williams$68,560
Lehigh$64,980
Graduation rate
Williams +8 pts
Williams95%
Lehigh87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lehigh +$15,600
Williams$73,600
Lehigh$89,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Williams 15,411
  • Lehigh 20,396
  • Admitted
  • Williams 1,272
  • Lehigh 5,289
  • Acceptance rate
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Lehigh 25.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Williams 43%
  • Lehigh 28.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Williams 1530
  • Lehigh 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Williams 34
  • Lehigh 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Williams 3.94
  • Lehigh 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Williams A
  • Lehigh A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Williams Elite
  • Lehigh Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Williams Extreme
  • Lehigh High
  • SAT range
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • Lehigh 1370-1500
  • ACT range
  • Williams 34-35
  • Lehigh 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Williams Test optional
  • Lehigh Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Lehigh Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Williams $68,560
  • Lehigh $64,980
  • Room & board
  • Williams $17,260
  • Lehigh $17,220
  • Average net price
  • Williams $15,894
  • Lehigh $34,154
  • Average grant aid
  • Williams $68,966
  • Lehigh $46,731
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Williams 54%
  • Lehigh 65%
  • Graduation rate
  • Williams 95%
  • Lehigh 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Williams $73,600
  • Lehigh $89,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Williams 83%
  • Lehigh 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Williams $14,582
  • Lehigh $24,256
  • Median loan payment
  • Williams $150
  • Lehigh $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Williams 6:1
  • Lehigh 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Lehigh
    • Business (34%)
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Biology (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Lehigh Bethlehem, PA
  • Setting
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Lehigh Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Williams 2,164
  • Lehigh 7,692
  • Type
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • Lehigh Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Williams #14
  • Lehigh #53

Comparable Facts

Compare Williams College in Williamstown, 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 Williams based on total student enrollment (7,692 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Williams College is located in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
  • Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Williams College 6:1; Lehigh University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 0.2% lower than at Williams College ($17,220 vs. $17,260).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Williams than at Lehigh University (about $3,580 more per year; $68,560 vs. $64,980).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lehigh University than at Williams College (65% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 47.6% larger than aid received by Lehigh University students ($68,966 vs. $46,731).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Williams than at Lehigh (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Williams and Lehigh.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Williams Jan 10, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Lehigh (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43% at Williams vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $9,674 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($14,582 vs. $24,256).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($150 vs. $250).
  • More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Williams students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 83%).

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

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