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Lehigh University

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · City · 5,898 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 30 days
Checked Sep 2026 · www2.lehigh.edu
$36,931
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
89%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$105,584
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
26%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Lehigh University is a premier mid-sized research institution best known for seamlessly blending rigorous engineering and business curricula—anchored by the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and the College of Business—with a strong liberal arts foundation. The university stands out for its high-impact interdisciplinary programs, such as Computer Science and Business (CSB) and the experiential Mountaintop Initiative, which foster student-driven research and entrepreneurship. Set on a picturesque, wooded hillside on South Mountain, campus life features a spirited "work hard, play hard" culture driven by strong school pride, active Greek life, and enduring traditions like the historic Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry.

Wikipedia:Lehigh University (LU) is a private research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States. The university was established in 1865 by businessman Asa Packer. Lehigh University's undergraduate programs have been coeducational since the 1971–72 academic year. As of 2022, the university had 5,911 undergraduate students and 1,781 graduate students. The university is classified as "Doctoral Universities R1: Very High Research Activity".

Location
Bethlehem, PA, 18015 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ABE · Lehigh Valley
4 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$64,980
Housing & food (on campus)$17,220
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$89,820
Average net price$36,931
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$64,980
Housing & food (on campus)$17,220
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$89,820
Average net price$36,931
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www2.lehigh.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Lehigh University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$69,420
Housing$11,470
Food$7,760
Books & supplies$1,000
Personal expenses$1,500
Total published by the school$89,820
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$16,917
$30–48k
$17,140
$48–75k
$18,722
$75–110k
$22,184
$110k+
$48,751
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$21,666
Share of first-years who get one12%
Source: Lehigh University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
89%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
80%
Back for yr 2
94%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
90% graduated · 8% transferred · 3% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$88,810
10 yrs after entry$105,584
Debt
Median at graduation$21,960
Monthly payment$233
Middle 50% owe$12.6k–$27k
90th percentile$29,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
26%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1440
R 680–730 · M 690–770
ACT midpoint
32
Comp 31–34 · E 31–35 · M 28–33
SAT middle 50%: 1370–1500
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 1 2026
binding in 30 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Decision II
Jan 1 2027
binding in 91 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 1 2027
in 91 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · www2.lehigh.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Lehigh University: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Lehigh University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Lehigh University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 52%Women 48%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
18%
First-gen
17%
Family income
$90,738
Independent
8%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
60%
Hispanic
11%
Black
5%
Asian
11%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
7%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$88,810
After 10 yrs
$105,584
Finance and Financial Management Services193
Computer Science147
Mechanical Engineering72
Psychology, General63
Marketing60
Biology, General55
Accounting and Related Services53
Computer and Information Sciences, General48
Business/Managerial Economics47
Civil Engineering45
Chemical Engineering42
Industrial Engineering40
Business/Commerce, General40
Political Science and Government36
Biomedical/Medical Engineering35
International Relations and National Security Studies32
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.9B
Full-time faculty
85%
Faculty salary
$15,219/mo
Teaching spend
$24,840
per student
Federal loans
37%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$62M research spending · 103 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Lehigh University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
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Scholarship search