Lehigh University combines selective admissions with exceptional post-graduation earnings that rank among the top 5% nationally. As a Selective Achievers institution, graduates earn $42,518 more annually than typical peers while maintaining manageable debt levels, creating substantial long-term wealth-building potential for students who can handle the educational investment.
With among the highest performance we track, driven by exceptional long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With modestly below average performance, reflecting higher net costs that are offset by exceptional earnings outcomes
With above average performance, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With well above average performance, indicating strong outcomes for the lower-income students who do enroll
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisLehigh University delivers exceptional earnings outcomes that substantially exceed educational costs and debt burden. Graduates earn a median of $105,584 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 99.0th percentile nationally and among the top 5% of institutions we track.
Earnings span from $72,507 at the 25th percentile to $148,926 at the 75th percentile, reflecting strong outcomes across different career paths with a 2.1:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles. The institution generates $13,481 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 89.7th percentile nationally on this measure of educational value.
Students seeking strong earnings potential in business, engineering, and computer science with selective admissions standards. Well-suited for those who can handle higher net costs but value exceptional return on investment, particularly in technical and business fields where Lehigh delivers top-tier program rankings and graduate outcomes.
Lehigh University admits approximately 29.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places Lehigh in the Selective admission tier, with significantly more competitive standards than typical four-year institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the substantial difference between Lehigh's selectivity and most private nonprofit universities of similar size and focus. While not among the most elite institutions with single-digit acceptance rates, Lehigh's admission standards represent meaningful competition for spaces.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Lehigh University's published cost of attendance reaches $77,515 per year, including $62,180 in tuition, $16,470 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $33,549 after financial aid, representing savings of $43,966 through institutional and federal aid programs.
This net price positions Lehigh $6,406 higher than the peer median of $27,143, reflecting the premium pricing typical of selective private institutions with strong post-graduation outcomes. The gap between sticker price and average net cost demonstrates substantial financial aid distribution, though net costs remain elevated compared to most peer institutions.
Financial aid reduces total costs by 57%, indicating meaningful institutional investment in making education accessible despite high published prices. Net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $15,440 for families earning under $30,000 to $50,046 for those earning over $110,000, creating a $34,606 spread that reflects progressive aid distribution.
This pricing structure targets affordability support toward lower-income families while maintaining premium pricing for higher-income households who typically manage full or near-full costs.
Banking and Financial Support Services.
221 graduates
Computer Science.
108 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
24 graduates
Business/Managerial Economics.
67 graduates
Industrial Engineering.
80 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jewish Theological Seminary Of America Higher acceptance rate (15.8 percentage points higher) and located 76 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 45% | $92,751 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the Lehigh University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/lehigh-university/analysis.
Exceptional return on investment nationwide
Lehigh University ranks #119 nationally with return performance at the 99.2nd percentile, reflecting among the highest return on investment we track. Located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized private nonprofit university combines selective admission standards with a 29.3% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation earnings.
Lehigh enrolls 17.8% Pell-eligible students and 16.9% first-generation students, positioning it as a Selective Achievers institution that serves fewer low-income students while producing strong outcomes. Graduates earn $13,481 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 89.7th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $105,584 ten years after enrollment, placing Lehigh at the 99.0th percentile for long-term earnings and among the top 5% nationally. Compared to peer median earnings of $63,066, graduates earn $42,518 more annually, demonstrating substantial earnings advantages that justify the institution's premium positioning in the higher education landscape.
Students should expect thorough evaluation of academic credentials, with particular emphasis on quantitative and technical preparation given the institution's strength in business and engineering programs. The 29% acceptance rate means that even well-qualified students face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process.
Building a comprehensive college list that includes institutions with higher acceptance rates alongside Lehigh represents sound application strategy. Students should treat Lehigh as a selective choice where strong academic preparation, particularly in mathematics and science coursework, supports competitive applications.
The combination of selective admission with exceptional post-graduation earnings creates intense competition among high-achieving students seeking strong return on educational investment.
Lehigh graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth with exceptional final outcomes. Median earnings rise from $88,810 six years after enrollment to $97,731 at eight years and $105,584 at ten years, representing 18.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 875 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $13,481 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Lehigh in the 89.7th percentile for educational value creation.
Low-income graduates earn $94,900, ranking among the top 5% nationally and demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting upward economic mobility. Earnings distribution spans from $72,507 at the 25th percentile to $148,926 at the 75th percentile, with the earnings range reflecting varied career trajectories across business, engineering, and liberal arts disciplines.
Approximately 25.5% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education. Compared to peer institutions with a median of $63,066, Lehigh graduates earn $42,518 more annually, representing a 67% premium that reflects the institution's strong industry connections and program quality.
Lehigh offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #5 nationally and #3 in Pennsylvania, producing 221 graduates with median earnings of $107,260 and an exceptional value score of 98.0, making it the largest program by enrollment.
Computer Science ranks #68 nationally and #3 in Pennsylvania, graduating 108 students with median earnings of $106,799. Industrial Engineering achieves #7 nationally and #1 in Pennsylvania rankings, with 80 graduates earning $99,291 and a value score of 91.4.
Business/Managerial Economics ranks #3 nationally and #2 in Pennsylvania, graduating 67 students with median earnings of $101,741. Mechanical Engineering ranks #46 nationally and #3 in Pennsylvania, with 101 graduates earning $88,912.
Digital Marketing achieves #4 nationally and #2 in Pennsylvania, graduating 78 students with median earnings of $85,576 and a value score of 98.6, demonstrating Lehigh's strength in both traditional business disciplines and emerging digital fields.
Stevens Institute Of Technology Higher acceptance rate (14.2 percentage points higher) and located 72 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NJ | 43% | $108,772 | Compare |
Suny Maritime College Higher acceptance rate (49.3 percentage points higher) and located 84 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 79% | $95,951 | Compare |
Santa Clara University Higher acceptance rate (14.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CA | 44% | $109,183 | Compare |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Higher acceptance rate (29.2 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | MA | 59% | $103,470 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Johns Hopkins University Similar quality tier (#128 ranked) | MD | 8% | $87,555 | #128 | Compare |
Carnegie Mellon University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#106 ranked) | PA | 11% | $114,862 | #106 | Compare |
Babson College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#131 ranked) | MA | 20% | $123,938 | #131 | Compare |
Brown University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#132 ranked) | RI | 5% | $93,487 | #132 | Compare |
Washington University In St Louis Similar quality tier (#104 ranked) | MO | 12% | $86,182 | #104 | Compare |
