College of the Holy Cross vs Lehigh University

College of the Holy Cross is the more selective of the two at 32%, versus 32% at Lehigh University. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

College of the Holy Cross
Selective
32%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1400
Private · Massachusetts
Lehigh University
Selective
32%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1430
Private · Pennsylvania

College of the Holy Cross vs Lehigh University: the differences that matter

How College of the Holy Cross and Lehigh University stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

College of the Holy Cross and Lehigh University are almost equally selective (32% vs 32%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. College of the Holy Cross leans more on recommendations, character / personal qualities, while Lehigh University puts more weight on geographical residence. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, College of the Holy Cross's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1400 and Lehigh University's is around 1430. Admitted students at Lehigh University post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorCollege of the Holy CrossLehigh University
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayimportantimportant
Recommendationsvery importantimportant
Extracurricular activitiesimportantimportant
Talent / abilityimportantimportant
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantimportant
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is College of the Holy Cross or Lehigh University harder to get into?

College of the Holy Cross is harder to get into, with a 32% acceptance rate versus 32% at Lehigh University.

What's the difference in SAT scores between College of the Holy Cross and Lehigh University?

College of the Holy Cross's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1400, and Lehigh University's is around 1430.

What are my chances at College of the Holy Cross and Lehigh University?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.