Head-to-head comparison
Lehigh University vs. Villanova University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Lehigh or Villanova harder to get into?
Lehigh is harder to get into than Villanova. Lehigh's 25.9% acceptance rate is lower than Villanova's 27.0%.
Which is cheaper, Lehigh or Villanova?
Lehigh costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Lehigh's average net price is $36,931 vs $43,756 at Villanova.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Lehigh graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $105,584 at Lehigh and $100,423 at Villanova.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Lehigh | Villanova |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 25.9% | 27.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1370–1500 | 1395–1510 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–34 | 32–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $80,856 | $84,793 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $36,931 | $43,756 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 5,898 | 6,938 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 87.9% | 91.9% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $105,584 | $100,423 |
| Setting | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Villanova, PA |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Lehigh is modestly harder to get into. The 1.1-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Lehigh is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $6,825 per year, $27,300 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Lehigh is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Villanova is in Villanova, PA. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Lehigh has a more international student body (6.5% non-resident students vs 1.8%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Lehigh is 48.0% women, 6.5% international, and 10.8% Asian-American. Villanova is 53.8% women, 1.8% international, and 6.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Lehigh | Villanova |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 48.0% | 53.8% |
| International | 6.5% | 1.8% |
| White | 59.7% | 67.7% |
| Asian | 10.8% | 6.7% |
| Hispanic | 11.1% | 11.3% |
| Black | 5.0% | 6.5% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Lehigh vs. Villanova?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Lehigh if
- Net price matters: Lehigh costs $6,825 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($105,584 vs $100,423)
- integrated business and engineering programs
Pick Villanova if
- Your odds are realistic at Villanova (slightly easier admit)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- Augustinian Catholic tradition
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Lehigh University
25.9% accept · Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Full profile
Villanova University
27.0% accept · Villanova, PA
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.