University of Pennsylvania vs Lehigh University: which has better ROI?
University of Pennsylvania has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,796 in 1.8 years versus 2.6 years at Lehigh University, on median earnings of $111,371 vs $105,584 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Pennsylvania | Lehigh University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,699 | $36,931 |
| Total net cost | $114,796 | $147,724 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $111,371 | $105,584 |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $21,960 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 2.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,145,424 | $996,756 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Pennsylvania or Lehigh University?
University of Pennsylvania, at $28,699 a year after aid versus $36,931 — a gap of $8,232 a year, or $32,928 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Pennsylvania or Lehigh University graduates earn more?
University of Pennsylvania graduates report a median $111,371 ten years after entry, $5,787 more than the $105,584 at Lehigh University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Pennsylvania or Lehigh University?
University of Pennsylvania: its completers carry a median $15,715 in federal loans versus $21,960 at Lehigh University, a difference of $6,245. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
97% of students finish at University of Pennsylvania, against 88% at Lehigh University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.