Lehigh University
About Lehigh University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Lehigh University is a private research university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It is known for its strong engineering, business, and science programs and its location in the Lehigh Valley, about 80 miles from both New York City and Philadelphia.
Founded
1865
Location
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Students
7,679
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
25.9%
Very selective
Graduation Rate
87.9%
Above national average
Tuition
$64,980
Per year
Avg Net Price
$36,931
After financial aid
SAT Average
1440
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$105,584
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Very Selective
About 4 students apply for every seat
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$75
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 1
Lehigh University accepts 25.9% of applicants, with admitted students averaging around 1440 on the SAT. If you're near or above that range, you have a strong chance.
SAT Scores
1440/ 1600
ACT Scores
32/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
87.9% complete their degree within six years
Retention
93.7%
4-Year Grad
78%
6-Year Grad
87%
Teaching Quality
10:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
84.8%
$/Student
$24.8K
Class Size
Small
78% of students graduate on time, and 84.8% of courses are taught by full-time faculty. That personal instruction helps keep students on track.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$64,980
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$17,220
Books & Supplies
$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance
$80,856
After Financial Aid
$36,931
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$16,917
Receive Grants
17.7%
Take Loans
36.6%
The total cost of attendance runs about $80,856/yr, including $17,220 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $36,931.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Lehigh University fund their education.
While in School
17.7%
Get Grants
Free money
36.6%
Take Loans
Must repay
$90,738
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$21,960
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$233/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 36.6% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $21,960. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Lehigh University.
Gender
48%
Female
52%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
5,898
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
1,781
Graduates
16.9%
First-Gen
20 yrs
Avg Age
0.2%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (48% women, 52% men). 16.9% are first-generation college students. 6.5% international students add diversity to the campus.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
5,898
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
R2 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Beautiful mountain campus in the Lehigh Valley
- +Strong engineering with liberal arts balance
- +Small school feel with research university resources
- +Active Greek life and social scene
Cons
- -Hilly campus with steep walks between classes
- -Greek life dominates social life heavily
- -Bethlehem has limited off-campus entertainment
- -Small school means fewer course options
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Lehigh University fields 14 varsity teams with 843 student athletes, about 14% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I-FCS
Conference
Patriot League
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
14
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
843
14% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
57% / 43%
482
Men
361
Women
10
Men's Teams
11
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Lehigh Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$105,584
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Finance and Financial Management Services
$77K
193 grads
1yr Earnings
Computer Science
$89K
147 grads
1yr Earnings
Mechanical Engineering
$75K
72 grads
1yr Earnings
Psychology, General
$41K
63 grads
1yr Earnings
Marketing
$55K
60 grads
1yr Earnings
Biology, General
$46K
55 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $89K six years out, climb to $77K by year eight, and reach $106K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lehigh University
What is the acceptance rate at Lehigh University?▾
How much does Lehigh University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Lehigh University?▾
How much do Lehigh University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.