Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Private
Admissions Policies
Deposit & decision deadline (class of 2024)
May 1
Test-optional admissions ('20-'21)
Yes
Lehigh University helps incoming students pay for their education in a variety of ways. While the Admissions Office offers several ways for students to be considered for academic or talent-based scholarships, the Financial Aid Office provides need-based aid to its students and provides students with their own assigned financial aid counselor to help navigate the financial aid process. The Financial Aid Office also provides need-based aid as explained on its Tuition and Financial Aid Page. Lehigh University’s strives to meet 100% of all admitted students’ demonstrated financial need. The university also began a Loan Reduction and Elimination Initiative in order to help educate students on cost, expenses, and loan information and education.
Demonstrated financial need is assessed through the submission the CSS Profile and the FAFSA along with some additional supporting documents which can be submitted directly to Lehigh University. Financial aid forms including the CSS and FAFSA must be submitted by deadlines in order to to be considered for the maximum possible financial need-based award. The university provides access to this Prospective Student Financial Aid Checklist which breaks down the process and forms into more manageable steps. Admitted students will be provided personalized information to log onto the Lehigh portal. This portal will provide students with any outstanding paperwork requirements or forms. Once all of these forms are completed and submitted by the appropriate deadlines, students will be considered for grants and scholarships, loans, and federal work-study opportunities. Additionally, outside scholarship aid is also accepted. Special populations are also eligible for financial aid, including veterans, graduate students, transfer students, and international students. Short-term financial aid (winter or summer) is available to students with these needs as well. Emergency aid is available to students who experience a sudden, unexpected financial need. These could be situations where medical or dental emergencies exist, a death in the family, or other urgent and/or traumatic situations.
Some basic financial planning tools are available on the Lehigh University website. These include a net price calculator along with its related net cost worksheet, a handy financial aid glossary, and frequently asked questions relating to financial aid where students can browse questions or also put search terms into a search box for more specific information. The Bursar’s Office offers payment plan options for students and families trying to budget their way through college and have outstanding tuition bills.
A Financial Education Initiative at Lehigh University, called Commoncents Financial Literacy links to many financial educational resources. These include information and sites about student loan resources, free budgeting resources, credit information, online learning tools, and a link to the Career and Professional Development page. The Commoncents program is a peer-led program where students can meet with Peer Financial Educators, but students or faculty can request to meet with a certified financial aid counselor if they prefer. This program provides professionals and students to offer a comprehensive source of financial education to its students.
The total cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.
Tuition (in-state)
$55,240
Tuition (out-of-state)
$55,240
Room and board
$14,160
Books and supplies
$1,000
Fees
$650
Other
$0
The average student pays this amount per year.
Percentage of freshman students who receive some form of financial aid.
This school's financial aid meets 98 % of student's demonstrated need.
The average Lehigh University merit scholarship for students without financial need
of Lehigh University students without financial need receive a merit scholarship
Lehigh University offers students merit scholarships through the university's admission process. Some merit scholarships do not require additional applications in order to be considered. Consideration for these types will be through the application process. The admissions department looks at not only test scores and academic performance when determining these awards, but also considers letters of recommendation and other student successes and achievements. Merit-based scholarships are renewable for up to 8 consecutive semesters and renewable as long as the eligibility criteria for each award is maintained.
The Alice P. Gast STEM Scholarship, the Dean's Scholars Scholarships, the Lehigh University Merit Scholarship/National Merit Scholarship, and the Founder's and Trustees' Scholarships are all scholarships that do not require additional applications. These scholarships are based upon merit only and awarded during the admissions process. Awards vary in amount from $1,000-$12,500 per year. Additional information on these scholarship programs can be found here.
Performing Arts in Music Scholarships,Cutler-Sametz Choral Arts Scholarships, Snyder Family Marching Scholarships, Performing Arts in Theater Scholarships, and ROTC Scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to students as well. These scholarships require additional applications that can be found on their respective art, music, or theatre pages.
Athletic scholarships are determined during the admissions process. There are a limited number of athletic scholarships available to students.
Very few students pay the full price. Here's the average cost for students in different income brackets:
Resources
Endowment (2019)
$1,411,641,000
Endowment per enrolled student (FTE)
$222,481
Share of Students Studying Online (Graduate and Undergraduate)
Likelihood that a student moved up two or more income quintiles.
Percent of first-time students receiving Pell Grants.
This is lower than the national average 31.0%
Relative to the market of potential students
Underrepresented
Black
Hispanic
Representative
Native American
Hawaiian
Multi-racial
Overrepresented
Asian
White
The average student takes out this amount in student loans.
The percentage of students that repay their loans within 5 years.
The percentage of students that repay their loans within 7 years.
The percentage of families that default on their loans after 3 years.
After graduation, here's how the average salary of a Lehigh University graduate grows over time:
SAT range:
1270 - 1450
ACT range:
29 - 33
Application fee:
$70
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The data and analysis above is sourced from the following reliable third party sources:
For more information, visit our Data page.
Our Financial Health information is designed to provide you with financial data on the private colleges you are considering. Our Post-Covid Resiliency Ratings are based on a data model described in more detail here as well as information from the independent third party sources we list above. Keep in mind, there may be additional public or private data which may make a college or university more or less financially resilient. We recommend that you request the most current financial information from the college or university you are considering so that you will have the most complete and current information available while evaluating the financial health of the institution and to inform your decision making process. All information and data we provide on this site is for informational purposes only and is not an endorsement, guarantee or other recommendation, whether favorable or unfavorable, regarding a particular institution. We make no representation or warranty regarding the information, all of which is provided free of charge and for informational purposes only.