Lehigh University
Lehigh University is a private nonprofit university in Bethlehem, PA ranked #78 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of A, enrolling about 5,803 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 29.3%. Students most often pursue Finance and Financial Management Services and Computer Science.
Academically, students benefit from a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, 92.7% first-year retention, and 89.2% six-year graduation. Peer cohorts and advising networks provide scaffolding that keeps newcomers anchored during demanding semesters.
Families typically invest $33,549, about $16,551 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -33.8%, roughly 119.1 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $88,810. That's about $45,122 higher than national results. It's a compelling fit for motivated learners who want a competitive yet collaborative community and students looking for meaningful faculty access.
Who is Lehigh University Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Lehigh University graduates 89.2% of students within six years and keeps 92.7% of first-year students. Affordability earns a C- compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Lehigh University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $62,180 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $16,470 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $1,500 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $77,515 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 17.8% of Lehigh University students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $15,440 to $50,046 depending on family income. Use Lehigh University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $30,179/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $50,046/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $88,810
- 10-Year Median Earnings $88,810
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $19,500
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 88.4%
- Employment Rate 76.4%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Lehigh University graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Lehigh University vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Lehigh University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Lehigh University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Lehigh University graduates earn $88,810 median, the -33.8% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 670-730
- SAT Math 680-760
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 31-33
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 5,803
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 92.7%
- Graduation Rate 89.2%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 10:1
How to Get Into Lehigh University
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Lehigh University requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 29.3%, Lehigh University is moderately selective. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: Lehigh University accepts 29.3% of applicants, making it moderately selective. Focus on strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays to stand out. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1350 and 1490 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Lehigh University undergraduates. Finance and Financial Management Services, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering draw the most students.
- Finance and Financial Management Services 14.6%
- Computer Science 7.2%
- Mechanical Engineering 6.7%
- Industrial Engineering 5.3%
- Marketing 5.2%
- Accounting and Related Services 5.1%
See more majors
- Business/Managerial Economics 4.4%
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering 3.7%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Finance and Financial Management Services $134,072
- 2. Computer Science $129,863
- 3. Industrial Engineering $121,172
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Computer and Information Sciences, General $120,356
- 5. Accounting and Related Services $118,286
- 6. Computer Engineering $113,884
- 7. Business/Managerial Economics $110,208
- 8. Chemical Engineering $107,647
- 9. Marketing $105,601
- 10. Biomedical/Medical Engineering $103,136
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degree) $118,309
- 2. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $117,962
- 3. Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degree) $94,799
Show additional graduate majors
- 4. Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degree) $93,613
- 5. Civil Engineering (Master's Degree) $89,920
- 6. Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degree) $68,547
- 7. Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degree) $60,267
- 8. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degree) $57,438
- 9. Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degree) $54,934
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Finance and Financial Management Services grads earn $134,072—30% more than Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($103,136). Graduate: Mechanical Engineering programs lead with $118,309 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Lehigh University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degree, 221 graduates)
- Computer Science (Bachelor's Degree, 108 graduates)
- Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degree, 101 graduates)
- Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degree, 80 graduates)
- Marketing (Bachelor's Degree, 78 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (65 programs)▼
- Finance and Financial Management Services
- Computer Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Marketing
- Accounting and Related Services
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Psychology, General
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Biology, General
- Political Science and Government
- International Relations and National Security Studies
- Civil Engineering
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Journalism
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Computer Engineering
- Public Health
- Chemical Engineering
- English Language and Literature, General
- Business/Commerce, General
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Mathematics
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Sociology
- Design and Applied Arts
- Anthropology
- Statistics
- History
- Physics
- Engineering, Other
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Philosophy
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Area Studies
- Cognitive Science
- Chemistry
- Architecture
- Music
- International/Global Studies
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Engineering Physics
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Urban Studies/Affairs
- Science, Technology and Society
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Information Science/Studies
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Classical and Ancient Studies
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Architectural History and Criticism
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
Online Master's Degrees (47 programs)▼
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Applied Mathematics
- Special Education and Teaching
- Educational/Instructional Media Design
- Business/Commerce, General
- Computer Science
- Civil Engineering
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Natural Resources Management and Policy
- Economics
- English Language and Literature, General
- Education, Other
- Sociology
- Political Science and Government
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Materials Engineering
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Physics
- International and Comparative Education
- Finance and Financial Management Services
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
- Psychology, General
- Computer Engineering
- Chemistry
- Marketing
- History
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Biology, General
- Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Management Information Systems and Services
- International Business
- Information Science/Studies
- Engineering, Other
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Area Studies
- Accounting and Related Services
- Research and Experimental Psychology
Online Doctoral Degrees (32 programs)▼
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Physics
- Economics
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Civil Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Psychology, General
- Polymer/Plastics Engineering
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Biology, General
- Special Education and Teaching
- Mathematics
- Materials Engineering
- History
- English Language and Literature, General
- Educational/Instructional Media Design
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Chemistry
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Engineering, Other
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Applied Mathematics
- Research and Experimental Psychology
Online Graduate/Professional Certificates (15 programs)▼
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Industrial Engineering
- City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
- Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Applied Mathematics
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- English Language and Literature, General
- Engineering, Other
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Area Studies
- International and Comparative Education
- Educational/Instructional Media Design
Online Undergraduate Certificates & Diplomas (3 programs)▼
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- International Business
- Public Health
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 5,803
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 52.5%
- Female Students 47.5%
- Caucasian 58.8%
- Asian 10.8%
- Hispanic 10.9%
- Black 5.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients 17.8%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Lehigh University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Lehigh University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Lehigh University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a similar rate as higher-income students, indicating adequate institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Lehigh University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: About 17.8% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Lehigh University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a similar rate as higher-income students, indicating adequate institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Lehigh University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Ranking #78 nationally, Lehigh University combines competitive admissions with -33.8% ROI, positioning itself among America's stronger universities. The institution balances academic rigor with $88,810 in median post-graduation earnings.
Students complete degrees at 89.2% six-year rates, with 92.7% retention reflecting solid satisfaction. The $33,549 annual net price falls in the moderate range, though 610 institutions deliver comparable outcomes at lower costs.
Competitive Selective University: Lehigh University's Market Position
A grade | #78 of 1971 | 96.1/100 on EDsmart's national index (0–100 vs. all ranked schools; not a raw point total)
Competitive Positioning: Lehigh University occupies the competitive selective tier—not elite enough for automatic career advantages, but strong enough to provide quality education and reasonable outcomes. The -33.8% ROI reflects this middle ground: better than most, but not top-tier.
Value for Money: $33,549 annually produces $88,810 median earnings—a reasonable but not exceptional return. Students choosing Lehigh University should evaluate whether the institution's specific programs, location, or campus culture justify costs versus higher-ROI alternatives.
Who Succeeds Here: Self-directed students who maximize campus resources (research, internships, networking) achieve outcomes rivaling higher-ranked schools. Students seeking specific programs or geographic locations find strong value. Those needing extensive hand-holding may struggle in larger university environments.
Final Assessment: Lehigh University's #78 ranking and A grade reflect solid performance across metrics. With 610 schools offering better ROI, value-focused students should compare carefully. However, for students who fit the institution's culture and programs, outcomes justify investment.
Key Takeaways
- 89.2% six-year graduation rate sits 26.7 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 92.7% first-year retention is 15.9 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -33.8% return on investment is 119.1 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $88,810 run about 103% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $33,549 is roughly $13,650 higher than the national median of $19,899.
Helpfulness for Students
- 10:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 92.7% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 76.4% employment rate within three years sits 8.2 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $33,549 is about $13,650 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 17.8% trails the national share by 15.7 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Lehigh University, a private nonprofit university in Bethlehem, PA, secures a A grade in our latest review. It holds a #78 national ranking Grades by category break down as Completion A, Support A-, Career Outcomes A, and Affordability C-.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
About 92.7% of first-year students return, and roughly 89.2% finish within six years. EDsmart calculates the ROI at -33.8%, offering a quick value checkpoint.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $33,549 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $77,515.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $43,966 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $19,500 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 17.8% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Graduates report median earnings of about $88,810 six years after entry. This is roughly 103% above typical U.S. college outcomes.
Roughly 76.4% of graduates are employed three years out.
Plan around an ROI of about -33.8% according to the Scorecard data.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
29.3% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Lehigh University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Bethlehem, PA 18015
- Website www.lehigh.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationMiddle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
- Endowment$1.68B