Lehigh University campus
Top U.S. Engineering UniversityStrong Business SchoolInnovation & Entrepreneurship

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

Undergraduate (Engineering, Business, Computer Science)Master's (Engineering, Data Science, Finance)MBA (Entrepreneurship & Leadership)

Lehigh at a Glance

Private Research

Type

7,000

Students

$63K/yr

UG Tuition

Top 550 Global

QS Ranking

Dr. Karan Gupta

Dr. Karan Gupta's Strategic View

Lehigh University is a strong choice for students seeking an education that blends engineering innovation with business leadership.

For Indian students interested in engineering, technology, and entrepreneurship, Lehigh offers a compelling academic environment. The university has built a reputation for integrating engineering and business education, enabling students to develop both technical expertise and leadership skills. Lehigh’s culture strongly supports entrepreneurship and innovation, with many graduates launching startups or joining high-growth technology companies. Its collaborative campus environment and close faculty mentorship make it especially attractive for students who want both academic rigour and real-world impact.

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.

CBSE / ISC / IB / Cambridge accepted
Strong academic performance
Essays and recommendations required
SAT/ACT test-optional but strong scores help
English: TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo
Strong undergraduate degree
Work experience expected for postgraduate study

What Lehigh looks for: Strong analytical ability, leadership potential, entrepreneurial mindset, and students who demonstrate initiative through academic and extracurricular achievements.

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

LevelTuitionLivingTotal
Undergraduate$63,000 / year$19,000$82,000
Masters$48,000$19,000$67,000
MBA$65,000$20,000$85,000

Salary Ranges

Software Engineer$110,000 – $140,000
Investment Banking Analyst$120,000 – $160,000
Data Scientist$105,000 – $135,000
Management Consultant$110,000 – $150,000

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.

Engineering
Finance
Consulting
Manufacturing
Healthcare
Technology
Research
Entrepreneurship

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

Dr. Karan Gupta's Advice

Dr. Karan Gupta is a Harvard Business School alumnus. Book a consultation.

  1. Lehigh stands out for combining engineering and business education. Students often pursue interdisciplinary opportunities that combine technical expertise with management and entrepreneurship.
  2. The university has a strong entrepreneurial culture. Many graduates go on to launch startups or work in innovation-driven industries.
  3. Class sizes allow for close faculty mentorship. This personalised environment helps students build strong academic foundations and professional networks.
  4. 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?
Lehigh University is known for its strong engineering programs, respected College of Business, and emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation.
Is Lehigh University good for engineering?
Yes. Lehigh’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science is highly respected and offers strong programs in mechanical engineering, computer science, and data science.
What career opportunities do Lehigh graduates get?
Graduates frequently work in engineering firms, technology companies, consulting firms, financial institutions, and high-growth startups.

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.