Lehigh University

www.lehigh.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$63,930

4.49% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$34,154

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

25.9%

20,396 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

7,692

89.4% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

87.9%

1,120 Graduates

About

Lehigh University is a higher education institution located in Northampton County, PA. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Lehigh University were General Finance (218 degrees awarded), Computer Science (149 degrees), and Mechanical Engineering (89 degrees).

In 2024, 2,159 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Lehigh University. 47.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 52.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,307 degrees), 8.07 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (162 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Lehigh University is $63,930, which is $32,010 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

Photo by Greg Palmer

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Lehigh University is $63,930, which is $32,010 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $34,154.

In 2024, 57% of undergraduate students attending Lehigh University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 37% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$63,930

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Lehigh University was $63,930. The cost of tuition at Lehigh University is $32,010 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Lehigh University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$34,154

2024 Value

2.6%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Lehigh University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $34,154. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Lehigh University grew by 2.6%.

This chart compares the average net price of Lehigh University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$16,470

Room and Board

$1,000

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Lehigh University was of $16,470 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 3.65% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,000. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Lehigh University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

57%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

37%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

57% of undergraduate students at Lehigh University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 5.56% with respect to 2023, when 54% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Lehigh University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Lehigh University received 20,396 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 10.8% annual growth. Out of those 20,396 applicants, 5,289 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 25.9% acceptance rate.

There were 7,692 students enrolled at Lehigh University in 2024. 30% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Lehigh University has an overall enrollment yield of 28.4%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

25.9%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

5,289

Accepted Out of 20,396

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Lehigh University was 25.9% (5,289 admissions from 20,396 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 29.3%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 10.8%, while admissions declined by 1.86%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Lehigh University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

30%

Submission Percentage (2024)

445

Scores Submitted (2024)

30% of enrolled first-time students at Lehigh University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Lehigh University had a total enrollment of 7,692 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Lehigh University is 6,876 students and the part-time enrollment is 816. This means that 89.4% of students enrolled at Lehigh University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Lehigh University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 57.1% White, 9.96% Hispanic or Latino, 9.37% Asian, 4.5% Black or African American, 3.55% Two or More Races, 0.078% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.065% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at Lehigh University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (31%), followed by White Female (28.1%) and Asian Female (5.75%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (18.3%), followed by White Male (17.3%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (2.95%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

89.4%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Lehigh University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 7,692 students. The full-time enrollment at Lehigh University is 6,876 and the part-time enrollment is 816. This means that 89.4% of students enrolled at Lehigh University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Lehigh University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

94%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Lehigh University was 94%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), Lehigh University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Lehigh University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
4,392 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
766 enrolled students
Asian
721 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Lehigh University is 57.1% White, 9.96% Hispanic or Latino, 9.37% Asian, 4.5% Black or African American, 3.55% Two or More Races, 0.078% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.065% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 188 students (2.44%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 113 fewer women than men received degrees from Lehigh University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Lehigh University is white (1,307 degrees awarded). There were 8.07 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (162 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Lehigh University is General Finance (218 degrees awarded), followed by Computer Science (149 degrees) and Mechanical Engineering (89 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Lehigh University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Engineering (471 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (55 degrees), and Interdisciplinary Studies (155 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Lehigh University are Software developers (594,453 people), Other managers (429,127 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (397,272 people), Civil engineers (319,047 people), and Mechanical engineers (227,037 people).

The most specialized majors at Lehigh University in 2024 are Engineering (471 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (55 degrees), Interdisciplinary Studies (155 degrees), Math & Statistics (47 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (12 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Lehigh University are Surgeons, Logisticians, Economists, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Podiatrists

The most specialized majors at Lehigh University are Engineering (471 degrees awarded), Physical Sciences (55 degrees), Interdisciplinary Studies (155 degrees), Math & Statistics (47 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (12 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Lehigh University are Computer Systems Design (629,098 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (504,922 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (425,044 people), Elementary & secondary schools (353,386 people), and Construction (348,786 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Lehigh University.

Most Common (2024)

General Finance
218 degrees awarded
Computer Science
149 degrees awarded
Mechanical Engineering
89 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Lehigh University was General Finance with 218 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Lehigh University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

1,136

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

1,023

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 1,136 degrees were awarded to men at Lehigh University, which is 1.11 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,023).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Lehigh University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 165 degrees were awarded to men at Lehigh University in General Finance, which is 2.95 times more than the 56 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 65 degrees were awarded to men at Lehigh University in General Psychology, which is 5 times more than the 13 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

83%

100% Completion Time

91%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 83% of students graduating from Lehigh University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 91% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 92% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Two or More Races Female

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Lehigh University is Female and Two or More Races (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1.16% of graduates (13 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
1,307 degrees awarded
Asian
162 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
161 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Lehigh University is white (1,307 degrees awarded). There were 8.07 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (162 degrees).

2.13% of degree recipients (46 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Male
731 degrees awarded
White Male
727 degrees awarded
White Male
708 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Lehigh University is white male (731 degrees awarded). There were 1.01 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (727 degrees).

Operations

Lehigh University has an endowment valued at nearly $1.87B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 229M (12.2%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, Lehigh University had a total salary expenditure of 534M. Lehigh University employs 209 Professors, 168 Associate professors and 166 Assistant professors. Most academics at Lehigh University are Male Professor (152), Male Associate professor (94), and Female Assistant professor (83).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Lehigh University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 266 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 240 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 223 employees.

Endowment

$1.87B

2024 Endowment

7.43%

growth from 2023

Lehigh University has an endowment valued at about $1.87B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Lehigh University grew 7.43% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $1.62B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Lehigh University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$220M

2024 Salaries

7.71%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Lehigh University paid a median of $220M in salaries, which represents 41.2% of their overall expenditure ($534M) and a 7.71% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 7.35% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 2.57% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$81.2M

Instructional Salaries

593

Number of Employees

In 2024, Lehigh University paid a total of $81.2M to 593 employees working as instructors, which represents 36.9% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Lehigh University were Business and Financial Operations with 266 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science with 240 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 223 employees.

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