Lehigh University vs Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Lehigh University is a private university in Bethlehem, PA. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Bloomsburg, PA. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania about 93%, making Lehigh University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,699 a year at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania after aid, and about $36,931 at Lehigh University. About 89% of students graduate at Lehigh University, compared with 54% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Ten years after enrolling, Lehigh University alumni earn a median of about $105,584, against $52,416 for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Bethlehem, PA
Bloomsburg, PA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,898
9,210
Acceptance rate
26%
93%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.51–4
3.16–3.66
SAT (middle 50%)
1370–1500
990–1190
ACT (middle 50%)
31–34
18–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$36,931
$15,699
Full cost / yr
$80,856
$25,161
In-state tuition
$64,980
$11,046
Out-of-state tuition
$64,980
$22,870
Application fee
$75
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,917
$11,374
$30k - $48k
$17,140
$11,370
$48k - $75k
$18,722
$13,877
$75k - $110k
$22,184
$17,989
Over $110k
$48,751
$20,099
Outcomes
Graduation rate
89%
54%
Freshman retention
94%
78%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$88,810
$44,053
Median earnings (10 yr)
$105,584
$52,416
Median debt at graduation
$21,960
$26,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
18%
32%
First-generation students
17%
34%
International students
7%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 1
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Lehigh University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania harder to get into?
- Lehigh University is harder to get into. It admits about 26% of applicants, compared with 93% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Lehigh University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,699 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $36,931 at Lehigh University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Lehigh University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Before aid, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania costs about $25,161 a year and Lehigh University about $80,856. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Lehigh University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,374 there, against about $16,917 at Lehigh University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Lehigh University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 9,210 undergraduates against 5,898 at Lehigh University.
- Does Lehigh University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania have a better graduation rate?
- Lehigh University has the higher graduation rate, at about 89% against 54% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
- Do graduates of Lehigh University or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania earn more?
- Lehigh University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $105,584 ten years after enrolling, against about $52,416 for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Lehigh University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania require SAT or ACT scores?
- Lehigh University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Lehigh University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1370–1500 at Lehigh University and 990–1190 at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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