How can I compare whether Johns Hopkins or Lehigh would be more affordable after financial aid?

Use Johns Hopkins’s and Lehigh’s official net price calculators with the exact same parent income, assets, household size, and number of siblings in college; their estimates are the fairest way to compare likely out-of-pocket cost before you apply.

For Hopkins, pay close attention to whether the calculator estimates eligibility under its expanded aid policies: families with incomes below certain thresholds may receive substantial tuition support, while family assets and financial circumstances still affect the final award.

At Lehigh, separate guaranteed or estimated need-based grants from merit scholarships. Merit awards are competitive rather than automatic for every applicant, so do not treat a possible scholarship as certain unless the calculator specifically incorporates a scholarship you are clearly eligible to receive. Also note whether its estimate includes student loans or work-study, since those are not the same as grant money.

After both calculators, compare the annual net price line by line: grants and scholarships, required parent contribution, student loans, work-study, and estimated travel or personal costs. Then, after admission, compare the actual financial-aid offers using the same categories.