Which has a better reputation? Which one would you choose to attend?
Both are fine schools. I’d give Lehigh an edge for business and engineering. If one turns out to give better aid, that is a consideration for many people. But if the money is the same it should come down to which one you feel most comfortable at. If you get into both schools and can’t decide try to visit them again. Consider if you prefer the northeast or the south? a city or a more suburban location? which size college do you like better? etc. People do well out of both schools and people have fun at both schools.
Several years ago, my older son was surprised when one of his closest friends chose Lehigh over Tulane. A friend’s daughter made the same choice. New Orleans just seems like a much more enticing location than Bethlehem, PA. They are both well respected, and you will get a superb education at either. If you can manage to attend accepted student events, then you should probably do so.
@newyorkcollege1
I agree with the above, with one exception (next paragraph). Most students think they should choose based on some difference in academics. That is only true when one school offers a program or a major the other doesn’t. So for example, if you knew you wanted to be a civil engineer, Tulane would be off you list. They don’t offer that. Otherwise, you will get a fine education at either school. The profs are quite competent, the books they use are probably the same in many classes, and the students are of similar caliber. Now I will point out that Tulane is a more research-active institution, so that could play into your decision depending on your goals and your intended major, if you have one. The profs there publish a lot more than the profs at Lehigh. But the real point is that the school where you feel most comfortable, where you fit best, is the way to go, assuming they are equally affordable. So weather, sports, Greek life, urban vs. rural, etc. all play a large role in the decision. Think of it that way. You are certainly dealing with a very different choice of location between New Orleans and Bethlehem.
The thing I disagree with is what happy1 said about Lehigh being better for business. Tulane has an outstanding business school, with extremely strong programs in finance, accounting, energy management, and entrepreneurship. I don’t know if Lehigh’s business program is better or worse, if those terms even mean anything in a situation like this, but Tulane’s program is strong.
^Agreed with @fallenchemist. I don’t think either has a measurable edge over the other reputationally. Tulane does have the advantage of not being miserably cold for four months of the year, lol. (Don’t mind me; I’m not far from the Lehigh Valley and it’s been cold, although it’s 40 degrees today, and it’s supposed to stay above 30 for most of the rest of the week and next!)
I agree that Tulane has a strong business school and I’d be confident that you can get a fine education at either school. My comment was made primarily on my own experience and I should have expanded on it in my post above. I’ve worked in business in NYC for 30+ years (and am still working) – over the years I’ve come across a lot of people who came out of Lehigh and feel that their alumni network in the city is strong. I can only think of one person from Tulane who I’ve run across in all my years (the person is excellent). Given the OPs name (newyorkcollege1) I’m guessing he/she is looking towards a career in NYC and geared my comments that way. It is important to recognize that this is purely based on my own experiences and should be taken as such. The fact is that they are two excellent schools and the OP should go to whichever one is the best fit.
Cheese-steak Sandwich or Oyster Po 'Boy; which will it be?
Very true, @happy1. While Tulane actually has a strong link to NYC (they even maintain a permanent office there and hold regular networking and employment events, not to mention that 33% of the students come from “the Northeast”, which includes a high number of NYC area students), it is always true that schools more local to the area are generally more well known and have more alumni. I imagine Philly has a lot of Lehigh people as well. The same is true for Tulane in Southern cities like Houston and Dallas, as well as Atlanta. And of course NOLA itself, which has been one of the fastest growing cities for start-ups for 3 years in a row.
So I completely agree that if the OP knows where he wants to live after college, that can be a factor for sure. However, I would also maintain that most students that attend colleges that are geographically diverse themselves have little idea where they will end up, no matter what they think now. That is part of what happens when they attend schools away from home. They see a world and its possibilities they never really considered before.
@LakeWashington
You are killing me man. Talk about hitting it on the nose! Fried Oyster Po’ Boys, dressed. Nothing I miss more.