Admit rate has ranged 29%–50% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Lehigh University is a selective, mid-sized private research university in Bethlehem, PA, known for its rigorous engineering and business programs, Greek-dominated social scene, and strong career outcomes. With an acceptance rate hovering around 26%, it attracts high-achieving students who thrive in a 'work hard, play hard' culture—though some note its lack of diversity and steep $85K+ annual cost for those without aid.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
5,898
In-state tuition
$64,980
Out-of-state tuition
$64,980
Sticker Price
$85K-$90K/year
Acceptance Rate
~26%
Graduation Rate
85-91%
On-Campus Housing
66% of students
Greek Life Participation
Dominant (42% report frequent parties)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,960
Median Early-Career Earnings
$71,597
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$105,584
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.9×
Median debt at graduation
$21,960
Graduation rate
88%
First-year retention
94%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
88%
Pell (lower-income) share
33%
First-generation share
17%
Endowment / student
$317,517
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other$81,812
Computer Science$78,552
Industrial Engineering$75,623
Chemical Engineering$74,200
Materials Engineering$74,200
Finance and Financial Management Services$74,142
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.34
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
89
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
27°F
Annual rain
48.2"
Annual snow
19.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
453
Scholarly works
42,898
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.9%
Bottom → top quintile
57%
From bottom quintile
3%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Lehigh University?
Lehigh University's acceptance rate is approximately 26% (Bethlehem, PA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Lehigh University?
Admitted students at Lehigh University typically score 1370–1500 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Lehigh University cost?
At Lehigh University, the average net price (after aid) is about $36,931 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Lehigh University?
Lehigh University enrolls approximately 5,898 undergraduate students.
Where is Lehigh University located?
Lehigh University is located in Bethlehem, PA.
Admissions
Lehigh is highly selective, with recent Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 22.7% for top scorers (1500-1600 SAT/34-36 ACT) to 37% for the Class of 2026—though more recent data suggests a tightening to ~26%. Middle 50% SAT scores fall between 1380–1480, and ACT ranges are 32-33. The university emphasizes academic rigor (GPA, test scores) but also considers extracurriculars and essays. Notably, 94% of admitted students matriculate, reflecting Lehigh's strong YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. among its target demographic. Deferred admission is offered, typically for one year.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Business/Managerial Economics$73,446
Computer Engineering$72,231
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Lehigh offers 100+ majors and minors across four colleges, with standout programs in engineering, business, and the liberal arts. The curriculum is interdisciplinary and hands-on, emphasizing research and collaboration. The College of Arts and Sciences provides a multidimensional liberal arts foundation, while the business and engineering schools are particularly renowned. Students describe the academic environment as 'terrific but demanding', with a peer group that balances rigor and social engagement. However, some critique the lack of diversity in certain departments.
Lehigh’s social scene is dominated by Greek life, with 42% of students reporting 'tons of raging parties almost any night' and another 44% noting 'lots of options Wednesday-Saturday'. About 66% of students live on campus, fostering a tight-knit but sometimes insular community. While the university promotes inclusivity, some students describe the culture as 'not friendly' to those outside the Greek system or from lower-income backgrounds. Clubs and leadership opportunities abound, but the party reputation looms large—'work hard, play hard' is the unofficial motto.
Lehigh delivers strong ROI: 85-91% graduation rate (top 5% nationally), with median earnings of $71,597 at graduation and $106K after 10 years. The average starting salary is $77K, and 88% of graduates secure employment or further education quickly. The six-year graduation rate is 85.2%, and the median debt at graduation is $21,960—lower than many peers. Employers range from Fortune 500 companies to niche firms, with engineering and business grads particularly well-placed.
Lehigh’s sticker price is steep—$85K-$90K/year for tuition, housing, and meals—but 44.46% of students receive aid, with an average package of $62,070. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. for aided students is $30,453-$33,289/year, though lower-income families report higher burdens. Books and personal expenses add $2,500 annually. The net price calculator is a must-use tool, as aid varies widely; some students note 'if your household makes <$80K, you’re in the minority'.
Lehigh carves a niche as a 'hidden Ivy' for engineering and business, offering elite outcomes without the cutthroat vibe of larger tech schools. Its small size fosters collaboration, and the Greek-heavy social scene ensures a lively campus—though it’s not for everyone. The 89% graduation rate and $106K median earnings at 10 years validate its academic rigor, but the lack of socioeconomic diversity and high net cost are real trade-offs. Ideal for students who want top-tier STEM/business training with a strong social network.
Lehigh University logo · sourceLehigh Named Among Most Beautiful Campuses | Lehigh University News · sourceClayton University Center - Shepley Bulfinch · sourceAbout the Lehigh Valley Region | P.C. Rossin College of Engineering & Applied Science · source
