Lehigh University (LU) is a premier university in the US that was established in 1865. Located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, its history is closely associated with the US’ rise as an industrial power. LU’s founder, Asa Packer–a pioneering industrialist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur in the 19th century–founded the university with the intention of giving back to society. True to his vision, the institution has nurtured several generations of students who have emerged as leaders, from political leaders to renowned academics, and served as a formidable force in producing societal change.
LU is organised into three campuses: the Asa Packer Campus, the Mountaintop Campus, and the Murray H. Goodman Campus. Collectively, these campuses cover an area of 2,350 acres (9.5 sq km) and house over 150 buildings. The university is counted among ‘R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity’, in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a classification granted only to universities engaging in research across multiple disciplines and allocating significant funds for it. In 2020, LU’s R&D expenditure amounted to over US$ 38 million.
Over the years, Lehigh University has been consistently ranked among the best colleges in the country. The US News and World Report 2022 ranked LU 51st among ‘National Universities’ and the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings 2022 placed 61st in the same category. LU also boasts of accomplished alumni and faculty who are Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, Fulbright Fellows, National Medal of Science winners, and recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among others.
Some of Lehigh University’s notable alumni include Terry Hart, NASA astronaut; Stephanie Ruhle, journalist; Jesse W. Reno, inventor of the escalator; Harry J. Buncke, surgeon and known as the “father of microsurgery”; and Stephen J. Benkovic, chemist and National Medal of Science recipient, among others. Let us now learn more about this illustrious university in this article.
Programmes at Lehigh University
At Lehigh University, about 2300 programmes and courses at different levels of education are offered across its five schools. Some of the programmes offered by LU are mentioned in the table below.
| Colleges | Undergraduate courses | Graduate courses |
| College of Arts and Sciences | Bachelor of Arts – AstronomyBachelor of Arts – Art HistoryBachelor of Science – Biochemistry | Master’s – EnglishMaster’s – PsychologyMaster’s – Statistics |
| Lehigh University College of Business | Bachelor of Science – Accounting | Master’s – Applied MathematicsPh.D- Business and Economics |
| College of Education | Elementary and Secondary Education | M.Ed – Counselling and Human Services M.Ed – Educational Leadership |
| College of Health | Global HealthPopulation HealthMaternal and Child Health | Master’s – Public HealthMaster’s – Population Health |
| P.C Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science | Bachelor of Science – Applied ScienceBachelor of Science – Civil Engineering | Master’s – Civil Engineering |
Admissions at Lehigh University
The class of 2025 at Lehigh University is diverse. It consists of students from over 28 countries and 43 states across the globe. They comprise 5451 undergraduate and 1812 graduate students. LU’s average class size is 28 students and its student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1.
Admissions at LU are usually granted through the Common Application portal or the Coalition Application. The Common Application (through the Common App), is an online undergraduate application that is accepted by over 1000 participating colleges and universities across all 50 states in the US, Canada, Japan, and a few European countries. The admissions requirements for international applicants are:
- Aspirants must submit proof of English proficiency through scores from exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, and others.
- All non-US citizens will be required to submit a Lehigh University Certificate of Finances form. This form seeks applicants’ details such as \Name, Date of Birth, Years that you wish to study at Lehigh, and source of funds (that include self-support, family, and government among others).
- Applicants should have completed an equivalent of 12 years of education, including both primary and secondary education.
- All competitive score requirements such as SAT or ACT scores can be found online on the application toolbox. This will provide aspirants with specific instructions and the necessary forms, and scores required during the application process.
- Applicants must ensure to submit all of their application details before the prescribed deadlines as mentioned on the college website.
Graduate admissions at Lehigh University are coordinated by its individual colleges. Applicants can visit the university’s official website to learn more about the admission requirements for each college and apply directly to the college of their choice on the website.
Student Life
The campus at Lehigh University USA is spectacular and there are a plethora of activities for students to participate in. There are more than 150 clubs at the university. The options range from arts to politics to intramural to club sports. In addition to the above, you also have 23 fraternities and sororities. The fraternity and sorority life ushers in a sense of community belonging among students and faculty alike, and is dedicated to providing a value-based experience for the students.
There are several campus events that are conducted periodically on a broad range of topics such as arts, sports, and entertainment. Also, the campus is equipped with a health and wellness center, and multiple dining options. It also has a fitness center that houses basketball courts, a climbing wall, and two indoor pools, among others.
Tuition and Scholarships
The typical cost for an undergraduate degree at Lehigh University is around US$ 75,820. This includes tuition, a full meal plan, an activity fee, and a wellness fee. There might be other indirect costs involved as well such as books, supplies, and health insurance, among others.
Lehigh’s Office of Financial Aid offers several financial aids to help fund your tuition fee. These aids comprise grants, loans, student employment, and scholarships. Some of the popular scholarships that students can apply for are the Alice P Gast Stem Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, and Cutler Sametz Choral Arts Scholarships, among others. You can apply for these financial aid on the financial aid application portal. However, you must ensure that you meet deadlines.
Studying at Lehigh University will open several avenues for its students and is also sure to assist you in charting a path for a successful career. Also, with diversity playing a significant role on campus, you will have the opportunity of being part of an engaging and vibrant culture. We hope that this article has provided you with sufficient information related to the admissions process, the courses available, and the tuition fees, among others at the institution. Good Luck!