Lehigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Lehigh University is a prestigious private research university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Known for its strengths in engineering, business, and entrepreneurship, Lehigh combines rigorous academics with strong industry partnerships. The university’s integrated approach encourages collaboration across engineering, business, and technology disciplines, preparing students for leadership roles in innovation-driven industries. With a reputation for producing successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders, Lehigh offers students excellent career prospects in engineering, consulting, finance, and technology.
Top 550
QS Global Rank
32%
Acceptance Rate
90+
Students
Lehigh at a Glance
Private Research
Type
7,000
Students
$63K/yr
UG Tuition
Top 550 Global
QS Ranking
Dr. Karan Gupta's Strategic View
Lehigh University is a strong choice for students seeking an education that blends engineering innovation with business leadership.
Why Lehigh Is a Strong Choice
Engineering & Business Integration
Lehigh's unique strength lies in integrating its engineering and business colleges, producing graduates who combine technical expertise with business acumen.
Intimate Research University
With about 2,000 graduate students, Lehigh offers the resources of a research university with the mentorship of a small college.
Lehigh Valley Innovation
The Lehigh Valley is a growing hub for manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, with companies like Air Products providing local industry connections.
Bethlehem Campus
Lehigh's campus spans South Mountain in historic Bethlehem, PA.
Mountain Campus
Campus spans South Mountain with diverse research environments.
Intimate Scale
About 2,000 grad students ensure close faculty mentorship.
NYC Accessible
90 minutes from NYC and 60 from Philadelphia.
Programs at Lehigh
BS in Mechanical Engineering
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
Highly respected engineering program with strong industry connections
BS in Computer Science
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
Strong focus on software engineering, artificial intelligence, and data systems
MS in Data Science
College of Engineering and Applied Science
An interdisciplinary data science program designed for analytics and AI careers
MS in Financial Engineering
College of Business
Quantitative finance program with strong industry placements
MBA
College of Business
Leadership-focused MBA with a strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship
Lehigh excels in engineering, business, and materials science with intimate class sizes and strong faculty mentorship.
Admission Requirements
Lehigh University evaluates applicants holistically, considering academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, leadership potential, and extracurricular involvement.
What Lehigh looks for: Strong analytical ability, leadership potential, entrepreneurial mindset, and students who demonstrate initiative through academic and extracurricular achievements.
Interview Preparation
What to expect and how to prepare for your Lehigh interview
Format
Optional alumni interview available by request or invitation through Lehigh's alumni network
Duration
30-45 minutes
Interviewers
Alumni volunteers, often from engineering, business, or applied sciences backgrounds
Interview Style
Warm and practical. Lehigh interviewers value hands-on achievers over pure academics. Expect questions about what you've built, led, or solved — not just what you've studied. The vibe is Midsize school, big outcomes.
What Lehigh Looks For
Sample Interview Questions
Lehigh emphasizes learning by doing — the Integrated Business and Engineering program, design labs, and practicum courses. What hands-on experience are you most proud of?
Talk about something you built, designed, coded, or led — not just studied. Lehigh students get their hands dirty early.
Why Lehigh over larger engineering or business programs? What specifically appeals to you about this size and culture?
Lehigh's class sizes and professor accessibility are genuine differentiators. If you just want 'a good engineering school,' you'll sound generic.
Tell me about a time you pushed through something difficult — a project, a challenge, a setback.
Lehigh's academic rigor is real. Show you have the grit to handle it, not just the brains.
How do you see yourself getting involved in the Lehigh community in South Bethlehem?
Mention Lehigh-community partnerships, the South Side Initiative, or specific clubs. Lehigh's relationship with Bethlehem is part of the experience.
Preparation Tips
- Understand Lehigh's integrated learning model — the ability to combine engineering, business, and arts is a core differentiator.
- Visit the campus or watch virtual tours — Lehigh's Asa Packer Campus on South Mountain is stunning and students genuinely love it.
- If applying to engineering or IBE (Integrated Business and Engineering), know the curriculum specifics.
- Lehigh alumni are exceptionally loyal — your interviewer likely bleeds brown and white. Show you share that potential enthusiasm.
Common Mistakes
- Treating Lehigh as a 'safety school' — interviewers can tell immediately, and it's insulting to alumni who love their school
- Not knowing about the IBE program, the Creative Inquiry initiative, or Lehigh's Mountaintop experience
- Being unable to explain why a mid-size university in Bethlehem, PA appeals to you specifically
What Type of Student Gets In?
Students seeking close faculty mentorship at a research-active institution
Candidates interested in engineering-business integration
Those who value small cohorts and strong peer networks
Lehigh's small size is a feature, not a limitation. Show you value the intimate scale and specific programs.
Costs & ROI
Pennsylvania living: $1,300–$1,900/month. Insurance, travel, books, and personal expenses vary. Cost Calculator
| Level | Tuition | Living | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $63,000 / year | $19,000 | $82,000 |
| Masters | $48,000 | $19,000 | $67,000 |
| MBA | $65,000 | $20,000 | $85,000 |
Salary Ranges
Career & Industry
Engineering
Air Products, Lutron, and Lehigh Valley manufacturers partner with Lehigh engineering.
Finance
Wall Street firms recruit from Lehigh's business programs, leveraging 90-min NYC proximity.
Healthcare
St. Luke's Hospital network connects with Lehigh's health sciences programs.
Lehigh graduates benefit from strong engineering-business integration and NYC accessibility.
Application Timeline
12-18 Months Before
- Research Lehigh programs
- Take standardized tests
- Contact faculty
8-12 Months Before
- Draft statement of purpose
- Request recommendations
- Research funding
4-8 Months Before
- Submit applications
- Apply for scholarships
- Complete financial docs
0-4 Months Before
- Accept offer
- Apply for visa
- Arrange housing
Lehigh vs Peers
Northeastern University
Lehigh: Stronger integration of engineering and business education, strong entrepreneurship culture
Other: Structured co-op programs and a larger urban campus
Compare →Boston University
Lehigh: Smaller campus, closer faculty mentorship, stronger engineering-business collaboration
Other: Larger university with broader academic offerings and stronger global brand recognition
Compare →Lehigh Is Right For...
- Want strong engineering and business integration
- Interested in entrepreneurship and innovation
- Prefer smaller private research universities
- Value strong industry placement outcomes
- Want a collaborative campus culture
Lehigh Is Not Right For...
- Prefer very large universities
- Want a primarily liberal arts education without a technical focus
- Looking for the lowest-cost public universities
- Prefer major city campuses
- Want extremely large student populations
Dr. Karan Gupta's Advice
Dr. Karan Gupta is a Harvard Business School alumnus. Book a consultation.
- Lehigh stands out for combining engineering and business education. Students often pursue interdisciplinary opportunities that combine technical expertise with management and entrepreneurship.
- The university has a strong entrepreneurial culture. Many graduates go on to launch startups or work in innovation-driven industries.
- Class sizes allow for close faculty mentorship. This personalised environment helps students build strong academic foundations and professional networks.
- Industry partnerships are a major advantage. Engineering and business students benefit from internships and job placements with leading companies across technology, finance, and consulting sectors.
FAQs: Lehigh for Indian Students
What is Lehigh University known for?
Is Lehigh University good for engineering?
What career opportunities do Lehigh graduates get?
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Want to Study at Lehigh?
Get expert guidance from Dr. Karan Gupta — Harvard alumnus, 27+ years of global admissions experience guiding 160,000+ students worldwide.