Lehigh University is a private, nondenominational, see this here coeducational institution located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1865 as a predominantly technical four-year school, it has evolved into a comprehensive university with approximately 7,200 undergraduate and graduate students across five colleges. Situated on a scenic mountainside campus overlooking the Lehigh Valley, Lehigh combines rigorous academics with exceptional career outcomes, consistently ranking among the nation’s top institutions for return on investment and long-term professional success.
Academic Structure and Colleges
Lehigh is organized into five academic colleges that offer more than 2,000 course titles taught by approximately 540 full-time faculty members:
College of Arts and Sciences — The largest college, offering programs spanning the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, with fields including architecture, biology, chemistry, English, international relations, journalism, mathematics, neuroscience, and political science.
College of Business — Provides undergraduate and graduate business education with programs in accountancy, economics, finance, management, marketing, and supply chain management.
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science — Offers engineering programs across chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, industrial, materials, and mechanical engineering, along with computer science and bioengineering.
College of Health — The newest college, welcoming its inaugural class during the 2020-21 academic year, focused on health sciences and public health.
College of Education — Graduate-level programs in education, educational administration, educational psychology, educational technology, special education, and teacher training.
Distinctive Interdisciplinary Programs
One of Lehigh’s signature strengths is its four Intercollege Interdisciplinary Programs, which allow students to blend courses from traditionally separate fields into a customized education:
- Computer Science and Business (CSB) — Integrates technical computing skills with business acumen
- Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE) — Combines engineering principles with management education
- Integrated Business and Health (IBH) — Bridges business and healthcare disciplines
- Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts & Sciences (IDEAS) — A flexible program for students pursuing cross-disciplinary interests
These programs reflect Lehigh’s commitment to hands-on, collaborative learning that prepares students for real-world problem-solving.
Rankings and Career Outcomes
Lehigh’s reputation for career preparation is well-documented across multiple national rankings. In the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings, Lehigh placed No. 29 among 584 schools — one of only 13 institutions ranked in the top 30 for three consecutive years. The university ranked No. 13 on WSJ’s Best Salaries list, with a value-added salary of **$81,485**, an increase of nearly $8,000 from the previous year.
Further highlighting Lehigh’s career impact, the university earned the No. 17 spot on LinkedIn’s inaugural list of The 50 Best Colleges for Long-Term Career Success in the U.S. , based on outcomes and career trajectory data from LinkedIn’s professional network. U.S. News also ranked Lehigh No. 13 for Best Return on Investment, with a 40-year net present value of $3.5 million, alongside No. 17 in Top 20 Career Placement by The Princeton Review.
Campus and Student Life
Lehigh’s campus spans 2,358 acres across three main areas: the Asa Packer Campus on the north slope of South Mountain, the Murray H. Goodman Campus for athletics, and the Mountaintop Campus linking the two. The university is one of the largest private universities in the country by land holdings.
The campus is known for its ivy-covered Gothic architecture, tree-lined walkways, and panoramic views of the Lehigh Valley. A substantial portion of the upper campus is maintained as a nature preserve, supporting deer, wild turkeys, and other wildlife.
Student life at Lehigh is vibrant, with more than 200 clubs and organizations ranging from academic honor societies to sports clubs, theatre groups, and cultural organizations. Lehigh offers eight first-year themed housing communities designed to help students transition to college while connecting with peers who share similar interests. These include CHOICE (substance-free living), Creative Arts, First Gen, Global Lehigh, STEM, Sylvia Rivera Community (LGBTQIA+), UMOJA (multicultural), and Inter-College.
The Lehigh Commitment and Financial Aid
Lehigh has made a significant commitment to accessibility through the Lehigh Commitment: 100% of undergraduate students from families with a total income of less than $75,000 are eligible for a full tuition grant, meaning the family pays no tuition. More than 50% of current students receive some form of financial aid, click to read more and more than 20% of students admitted to the Class of 2030 received a merit scholarship.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the cost of attendance is:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $69,420 |
| Typical first-year housing | $11,470 |
| Full meal plan | $7,760 |
| Technology fee | $630 |
| Activity fee | $290 |
| Wellness fee | $250 |
| Total Direct Cost | $89,820 |
Students in certain programs (Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Health) are assessed an additional $910 fee.
Athletics and the Mountain Hawks
Lehigh competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Patriot League, sponsoring 26 varsity sports. The university’s athletic programs have a strong tradition, particularly in wrestling, where Michael Caruso ’67 was Lehigh’s only three-time NCAA champion, and the Caruso Wrestling Complex was dedicated in his honor.
The Lehigh Athletics Partnership raised a record $4,227,915 during the 2025 fiscal year, a 15% increase from the previous year, with 5,258 unique donors — both all-time highs.
Lehigh’s football rivalry with Lafayette College, known simply as “The Rivalry,” is the longest continuously played college football rivalry in the nation. The 150th meeting took place on November 22, 2014, at Yankee Stadium in front of a record crowd of more than 48,000.
Notable Alumni
Lehigh’s alumni network includes influential leaders across diverse fields:
- Lee Iacocca ’45 — Known as the “father of the Mustang,” he rose to president of Ford Motor Company and later became chairman of Chrysler Corporation, where he engineered one of the most dramatic corporate turnarounds in American history
- Richard Verma ’90 — Named U.S. Ambassador to India, becoming the first Indian-American to serve as ambassador to a major country
- C.J. McCollum ’13 — NBA player selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 10th overall pick in 2013, the highest NBA draft selection in Lehigh history
- Scott Belair ’69 — Founder of Urban Outfitters, who donated $20 million to kick off the Mountaintop project
- Ricky Kirshner ’82 — Emmy-winning producer whose credits include the Super Bowl Halftime Show and the Tony Awards
- Dr. William S. Pierce ’58 — Led development of the first artificial heart pump, a milestone that has saved thousands of lives
Admissions
Lehigh accepts the Common Application and has extended its test-optional policy indefinitely, allowing first-year and transfer applicants to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. The university practices holistic review, considering the difficulty of courses taken, class rank, grades in context, evidence of improvement, recommendations, extracurricular leadership, demonstrated interest, and the student’s essay.
Key deadlines include Early Decision I (November 1), Early Decision II (January 1), and Regular Decision (January 15). For international applicants requiring financial aid, Lehigh is need-aware and requires submission of the Certificate of Finances form and CSS Profile.
A University Built for Future Makers
Lehigh University offers an education that is both intellectually rigorous and practically focused. Its distinctive interdisciplinary programs, exceptional career outcomes, and commitment to financial accessibility make it a compelling choice for students seeking a return on their educational investment. The combination of a beautiful mountainside campus, a collaborative rather than cutthroat culture, and a strong alumni network positions Lehigh graduates for success across sectors. As the university describes itself, click here to read Lehigh is a place where students “make a statement by making a real difference” — an ethos that continues to define its distinctive character.