Tucked into the hillside of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, about 90 minutes from New York City, Lehigh has built a real reputation on something many universities talk about but may not always deliver: true interdisciplinary education. If your student is drawn to engineering but curious about business, passionate about health but intrigued by policy, or simply not sure yet, Lehigh has likely already designed a program with them in mind. With just under 6,000 undergraduates, a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and an acceptance rate of 26%, this school combines the academic depth of a research university with the feel of a close-knit community.
About Lehigh University
Founded in 1865, Lehigh was built on industrial innovation, and that spirit has never left. The university holds Carnegie R1 Research Status, placing it among the nation’s most active research institutions. It has also earned Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, aligning it alongside organizations like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders.
Lehigh’s campus spans 2,358 acres, with architecture that ranges from ivy-covered collegiate Gothic buildings to modern glass and steel. The historic Linderman Library, built in 1878, anchors the campus. Three distinct areas define the physical layout: the Historic Core, Mountaintop (where the architecture makes a bold statement), and the Goodman Campus, home to Division I athletic facilities.
Location
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, once a steel town, has reinvented itself as a cultural destination with a growing Lehigh Valley surrounding it. Downtown Bethlehem has about 40 restaurants within walking distance of campus, along with the ArtsQuest building, which hosts concerts, cinema, and comedy.
Musikfest, one of the country’s largest outdoor music festivals, draws more than a million visitors each August and happens practically in students’ backyard. For weekend escapes, New York City is 90 minutes away, Philadelphia is 50 miles south, the Poconos are close for skiing in winter, and the Jersey Shore is a reasonable drive in spring or fall. It’s a well-located campus for a student who wants both community and access to cities and the great outdoors.
Academics at Lehigh
During my visit, I learned how Lehigh organizes its undergraduate education across four colleges:
- College of Arts & Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Health (launched approximately eight years ago, with growing momentum)
- College of Engineering & Applied Science
Your student can apply undecided to any one of these four colleges, so there’s no pressure to have it all figured out on day one. For students who are truly in exploration mode, Lehigh offers something I don’t see at many schools: Explore Lehigh, a cohort of just 30 students who spend their first year exploring before committing to a direction. It’s a thoughtful option for the student who needs a little runway.
The university offers 124 academic programs and 2,300 courses. The Lehigh class of 2029 enrolled as follows: 37% in Arts & Sciences, 25% in Engineering, 22% in Business, and 4% in Health Sciences. Top majors by enrollment include Business Finance, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, CS + Business, and Psychology.
Interdisciplinary Programs: Where Lehigh Really Shines
If I had to name one thing that truly sets Lehigh apart from comparable universities, it’s the depth and structure of its interdisciplinary offerings. These aren’t double majors stitched together at the seams. They’re cohesive, intentionally designed programs with their own identities:
- Computer Science and Business (CSB): for students who want to sit at the intersection of technology and strategy
- Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE): a four-year honors curriculum that weaves both disciplines into a single, structured course of study
- Integrated Business and Health (IBH): for students drawn to the business side of healthcare
- Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts and Sciences (IDEAS): a unique program for students who don’t fit a single mold
Students can also pursue double majors across colleges, which is relatively unusual and a major plus for flexible thinkers. One important note: Engineering is difficult to transfer into once a student has enrolled in another college. If engineering is the goal, your student should apply directly to that college from the start. A successful transfer may require 4.5 to 5 years to complete the degree.
Honors Programs
Honors at Lehigh is primarily department-based, meaning students can pursue honors-level work within their specific major. The flagship honors path is the Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE) Honors Program, a selective four-year track that combines both disciplines into one course of study.
Special Opportunities
Lehigh builds experiential learning into the curriculum’s structure. A few programs worth highlighting:
- Pre-Dental Program with Penn Dental Medicine: a joint program with one of the country’s top dental schools; a real standout for pre-health families
- Mountaintop Program: each summer, about 175 students work alongside faculty mentors on open-ended research projects, from neurogenetics to 3D concrete printing
- Iacocca Institute: an international internship program that sends students abroad for professional experience, not just academic credit
- Hatchery / Startup Academy: entrepreneurship resources for students ready to build something
- Technical Entrepreneurship Capstone: brings engineering, business, and arts students together to design real products for sponsoring companies
- Co-ops: students can spend eight months working for a major-related employer, paid, and still graduate in four years
Twenty-six percent of students study abroad through more than 250 programs in over 60 countries. Faculty-led winter and summer programs are available in about a dozen countries as well.
And for students who want something unexpected, a few standout minors worth knowing: Apparel Design, Documentary Storymaking, Indigenous Peoples’ Health, Journalism, and Real Estate.
Admission Requirements
Lehigh offers Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision rounds. Here’s what families should know at a glance:
| Round | Approximate Admit Rate |
| Early Decision I | 38–48% |
| Early Decision II | 38–48% |
| Regular Decision | 22–27% |
ED students make up about 60% of the admitted class, so applying early is a real strategic advantage if Lehigh is a true first choice. ED applicants are also considered for merit aid during the reading process, which is worth factoring in.
About 60% of applicants from the high school class of 2025 submitted test scores. Middle 50% ranges:
| Test | Middle 50% Range |
| SAT | 1450–1520 |
| ACT | 32–35 |
A few things I want families to understand about how Lehigh reads applications: it is a human process. Every applicant receives a full write-up and is reviewed individually by a regional admissions rep. Students applying to competitive interdisciplinary programs (IBE, IBH, CSB, IDEAS) receive a separate additional read, so listing a second major choice as a backup is a smart move. Finally, the College of Business has grown noticeably more competitive in recent years.
Demonstrated interest is tracked at Lehigh. Campus visits, virtual events, genuine engagement with the regional rep, and legacy status all matter.
Campus Life
Residential Life
First and second-year students are required to live on campus, which does a lot for community building in those early, formative semesters. There are seven residence halls dedicated to first-year students, with options for co-ed floors, single-sex floors, singles, doubles, and triples. Common spaces are cleaned four days a week, a detail your student will appreciate far more than they expect.
Traditions and Student Life
Lehigh has a genuinely spirited campus culture, shaped by traditions that have lasted generations:
- The Rivalry: the Lehigh-Lafayette football game, played annually since 1884, is one of the longest-running rivalries in college football history. It’s a very big deal.
- 1st Year Rally: a tradition since 1945, where incoming students are “adopted” by the alumni class from 50 years prior, connecting generations in a really charming way
- International Bazaar: a campus-wide celebration of Lehigh’s global community, with flag parades, performances, and food from around the world
- Marching 97: Lehigh’s 90-piece marching band, which has a tradition of marching into classrooms
Greek life involves about 30% of students, with a delayed recruitment process. There are 8 fraternities, 8 sororities, and professional and cultural fraternities as well. Notably, Lehigh owns all Greek houses (except professional fraternities), so they operate on the same cleaning schedule as the residence halls. Lehigh After Dark events offer strong on-campus alternatives for students who prefer to socialize outside Greek life.
Athletics
Lehigh competes at the Division I level as the Mountain Hawks. The wrestling program is a perennial powerhouse, men’s soccer has been a recent Patriot League champion, and about 65% of students participate in intramural or club sports. The Goodman Campus houses excellent practice and competition facilities.
Student Support and Outcomes
Career services at Lehigh earns consistently strong reviews, and the outcomes reflect it: 92% of graduates are employed within six months, with an average starting salary of $74,000. Employers recruit heavily on campus, and the university has produced three Fulbright Scholars in recent years.
Key support resources include:
- Lehigh 360 — holistic student support
- Eckardt Scholars and Impact Fellows programs for research and leadership development
- Macron Institute — focused on leadership through compelling perspectives
- The Hatchery — entrepreneurship support from ideation through launch
Demographics
- Undergraduate enrollment: approximately 5,986
- 69% of students are from out of state
- Students from 49 states and 87 countries
- 18% are first-generation college students
Financial Information
Lehigh is need-blind in admissions, meaning your family’s financial situation does not affect the admission decision. Merit scholarships average $11,200 annually, and scholarship consideration occurs organically during the application review process, including for ED applicants. Musicians may be eligible for talent scholarships as well.
Is Lehigh a Good Fit for Your Student?
Lehigh tends to be a great fit for students who are:
- Intellectually curious and open to blending disciplines
- Drawn to engineering, business, health, or some combination of all three
- Collaborative rather than cutthroat (the campus culture leans strongly toward teamwork)
- Looking for a research-active environment with small-class access
- Open to a spirited campus with strong traditions and community ties
- Still figuring out what they want (Explore Lehigh)
One thing I express to families: Don’t let Lehigh fly under the radar just because it’s in Pennsylvania. The outcomes are strong, the programs are innovative, and the campus culture is genuinely warm. For the right student, it’s a remarkable fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lehigh University hard to get into?
Lehigh’s overall acceptance rate is around 25%, making it selective but accessible for well-prepared students. Early Decision I and II rounds carry significantly higher admit rates (38–48%), so applying ED can make a real difference if Lehigh is your student’s clear first choice.
What is Lehigh University known for academically?
Lehigh has a long-standing reputation in engineering, but it has become equally well known for its interdisciplinary programs, including Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE), Computer Science and Business (CSB), and the IDEAS program. Its College of Business has grown increasingly competitive, and the newer College of Health is gaining real traction.
What is the social life like at Lehigh?
Campus life is active and community-oriented. Greek life involves about 30% of students, with a delayed recruitment process. Traditions like The Rivalry game against Lafayette and the 1st Year Rally give the campus a strong sense of shared identity. Lehigh After Dark events provide solid on-campus options for students who prefer alternatives to the Greek scene.
Where is Lehigh located, and what is the area like?
Lehigh is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, about 90 minutes from New York City and 50 miles from Philadelphia. Bethlehem has reinvented itself as a growing, culturally vibrant city. The annual Musikfest draws over a million visitors each August, and the surrounding Lehigh Valley is one of the region’s fastest-growing areas.
Curious whether Lehigh belongs on your student’s list? Book a Strategy Session and let’s work through your family’s college search together.
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