Cornell vs Lehigh
Cornell University and Lehigh University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Cornell, an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, boasts a lower acceptance rate (10.3%) compared to Lehigh's (22.4%) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Cornell's student body is more diverse, with 50% female and 13% international students, while Lehigh's is predominantly male (58%) and has a smaller international student population (10%). In terms of academics, Cornell offers a wider range of majors, including popular choices like engineering, business, and biological sciences, while Lehigh focuses on engineering, business, and the arts. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Cornell's at 93% and Lehigh's at 91%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Cornell University |
![]() Lehigh University |
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Overview |
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Location | Ithaca, New York | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 94.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 8.7% | 46.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$105
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1450 - 1560 | 1325 - 1490 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 30 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 41.0% | 36.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | 18.0% |
Total number of applicants | 67,380 | 14,107 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,852 | 6,485 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,718 | 1,519 |
Yield rate | 63.5% | 23.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $80,287 | $74,865 |
Average net price | $24,262 | $31,539 |
Tuition | $60,286 | $56,980 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,962
Meal plan:
$6,434
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Room/dormitory:
$9,030
Meal plan:
$6,300
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
50.0%
Average amount $52,674 |
54.0%
Average amount $39,972 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $3,924 |
41.0%
Average amount $4,954 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $8,357 |
19.0%
Average amount $12,089 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,503
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
5,451
Men 54.0% Women 46.0% |
Graduate students |
10,079
Men 51.0% Women 49.0% |
1,812
Men 53.1% Women 46.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 64.3% | N/A |
International students | 24.4% | 13.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 7,422 | 2,856 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 94.1% | 87.3% |
Dropout rate | 5.2% | 12.4% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Operations Research (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
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Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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