Lehigh University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2025-2026
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Lehigh University is a private nonprofit university in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania that admits about 29% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $36,931 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Finance and Financial Management Services, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 85% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Lehigh University is a private institution located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Lehigh University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 29%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1430 and an ACT composite around 32. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,931 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Lehigh University?
Admitted students at Lehigh University typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.
What does Lehigh University weight in admissions?
Lehigh University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Class rank
- • Standardized test scores
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Volunteer work
- • Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores Lehigh University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 690–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 688. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1380 |
| 50th percentile | 1430 |
| 75th percentile | 1480 |
| % submitting SAT | 33.03% |
| 25th percentile | 31 |
| 50th percentile | 33 |
| 75th percentile | 34 |
| % submitting ACT | 10.29% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Recommended
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 60% |
| Top 25% of class | 86.76% |
| Top 50% of class | 98.31% |
| % submitting class rank | 23.13% |
How much does Lehigh University actually cost?
Published tuition is $64,980 for in-state students and $64,980 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,220 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $36,931 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 18% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $36,931 |
| Application fee | $75 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Lehigh University
| Regular deadline | January 1 |
| Notification date | March 20 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 1 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 47% |
Will my child graduate from Lehigh University?
These predict outcomes at Lehigh University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Lehigh University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Lehigh University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Finance and Financial Management Services, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering. Across all programs, Lehigh University confers roughly 697 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Finance and Financial Management Services program report a median income of about $134,072 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 197 | $134,072 |
| Computer Science | 138 | $129,863 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 80 | $101,225 |
| Psychology, General | 63 | $75,622 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 58 | $118,286 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | 56 | $110,208 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 53 | $103,136 |
| Marketing | 52 | $105,601 |
Is Lehigh University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Lehigh University disclosed 12 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 3 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Lehigh University?
About 60% of undergraduates at Lehigh University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 18% of men join a fraternity and 25% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Pennsylvania parents ask about
Next steps for Lehigh University
Common questions parents ask about Lehigh University
What GPA do I need for Lehigh University?
Admitted students at Lehigh University typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.
What SAT or ACT score does Lehigh University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 690–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 688. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34.
How much does Lehigh University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Lehigh University after grants and scholarships is $36,931 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $64,980. Budget against the net figure.
Is Lehigh University realistic for my child?
Lehigh University admits 29% of applicants, so 690–770 SAT Math is target range and below 690 is a reach. Then check the $36,931 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Lehigh University?
Lehigh University accepts about 29% of applicants out of roughly 19,342 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is Lehigh University test-optional?
Yes. Lehigh University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Lehigh University?
About 85% of students at Lehigh University graduate within six years. 94% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Lehigh University?
Lehigh University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 47%, compared with its overall rate of 29%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Lehigh University look for in applicants?
Lehigh University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Lehigh University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Lehigh University is a private nonprofit institution located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
What are the most popular majors at Lehigh University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Lehigh University by annual graduates are Finance and Financial Management Services, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering. The school awards about 697 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Lehigh University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Lehigh University reported 12 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Lehigh University?
At Lehigh University, 60% of undergraduates live on campus, 18% of men are in fraternities, 25% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Lehigh University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers