How to get into Lehigh University
How to get into Lehigh: ED is the lever, engineering reputation, and the IDEAS program
25.9%
Acceptance rate
$64,980
In-state cost
What makes Lehigh University admissions different
Lehigh is a small (~5,700 undergrad) private research university in Bethlehem, PA with a top-tier engineering program (P.C. Rossin College), a strong undergraduate business school, and a College of Arts & Sciences that's grown a national reputation. Lehigh is one of the most ED-favoring schools in the top 50 — published ED acceptance rates routinely run 2-3x the RD rate. The IDEAS program (Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts and Sciences) is a true dual-degree with one of the most distinctive curricular structures in American engineering.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply Early Decision I (Nov 1) or ED II (Jan 1) if Lehigh is your top choice. The ED bump at Lehigh is among the largest in the top-50 private universities — applying RD when you could have applied ED leaves substantial admit-rate margin on the table.
- 2.
Pick the right college on the application. Rossin (engineering), the College of Business, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the College of Health all admit within the Lehigh application and the supplement reads against the college you chose.
- 3.
If you're interested in interdisciplinary work across engineering and the humanities or social sciences, apply to IDEAS — students earn two degrees (a BS in Engineering and a BA in an arts/sciences major) on a single four-year track. It is selective and program-fit matters.
- 4.
Lehigh has additional combined-degree options worth knowing: the IBE (Integrated Business and Engineering) program admits jointly with business and engineering, and the Computer Science and Business (CSB) program admits jointly with Rossin and the College of Business. These are direct-admit; you cannot transfer in.
- 5.
Maintain a high GPA in rigorous coursework and aim for SAT 1400+ / ACT 32+ if submitting under Lehigh's test-optional policy. Submit if scores reinforce the file.
- 6.
Use the supplement to name specific Lehigh programs (Mountaintop summer research, the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, the Eckardt Scholars Honors Program, specific labs in Rossin) and show how your prior work points at them.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Applying RD when Lehigh is the top choice. The single most-cited Lehigh applicant mistake is missing the ED bump because the family didn't run net price calculations early.
- ✕
Treating IDEAS or IBE as a major you can add later. These are direct-admit programs — you have to apply to them in the original application and the admit decisions happen at the front door.
- ✕
Writing a 'why Lehigh' supplement that's really a 'why a small research university' supplement. Lehigh has a specific culture (Greek life, engineering grit, Mountaintop campus, Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry) and the supplement needs to feel grounded in it.
- ✕
Underestimating the engineering bar. Rossin admits in a tighter pool than CAS; engineering math rigor and applied projects help.
The specifics for Lehigh University
Application deadlines
- Early Decision I2025-11-01Binding. Decision by mid-December 2025.
- Early Decision II2026-01-01Binding. Decision in mid-February 2026.
- Regular Decision2026-01-01Decision by April 1, 2026. Reply by May 1, 2026.
- Financial Aid (ED1)2025-11-15CSS Profile and FAFSA.
- Financial Aid (ED2)2026-01-15CSS Profile and FAFSA.
- Financial Aid (RD)2026-02-15CSS Profile and FAFSA.
Supplemental essay prompts
- How did you first learn about Lehigh University, and what motivated you to apply?150 words · Required of all first-year applicants. Short response.
- Each year at academic convocation, first-year students assemble for the academic procession; they enter as Lehigh students, and exit as members of the Lehigh community. They are surrounded by faculty, staff, students, alumni, and family from across the world. How will you contribute to the Lehigh community? (You can think about this in terms of your background, interests, experiences, or future aspirations.)300 words · Required of all first-year applicants.
What makes this admissions process distinctive
IDEAS — Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts and Sciences ↗
A true dual-degree program: students earn a BS in Engineering and a BA in an Arts and Sciences major on a single four-year track. Designed for students whose interests genuinely span both — applicants must demonstrate fit with both halves. The IDEAS program is administered jointly by Rossin and the College of Arts and Sciences.
IBE and CSB direct-admit combined programs ↗
IBE (Integrated Business and Engineering) admits jointly with the College of Business and Rossin College of Engineering. CSB (Computer Science and Business) admits jointly with Rossin and the College of Business. Both are direct-admit programs — internal transfer in is not an option, so applicants must apply to them on the original application.
Heavy ED-favoring admissions ↗
Lehigh's ED1 and ED2 acceptance rates run substantially higher than RD — historical disclosures place ED admit rates several multiples of the RD rate. The binding commitment is treated as strong yield signal and Lehigh manages its class heavily through ED.
Notable scholarships at Lehigh University
Lehigh Need-Based Aid ↗Up to full demonstrated need
Lehigh commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for admitted domestic students. Aid packages include grants, work-study, and (typically) modest loans. CSS Profile and FAFSA required.
Lehigh Trustees' Scholarship ↗Varies; partial- to full-tuition (named merit awards)
Lehigh awards named merit scholarships to select admits — no separate application. Selection considers academic profile, leadership, and contribution to the application.
Heads up — recent changes
- Lehigh remains test-optional for first-year applicants for the 2025-26 cycle (verify current policy on Lehigh's site).
- The supplemental essay structure (short 'how did you learn' + longer 'contribute' essay) continues into the 2025-26 cycle.
- Lehigh's ED program continues to provide the most meaningful admit-rate advantage in the application — the binding signal is taken seriously.
What graduates actually do
Lehigh graduates feed engineering, finance, and business — strong placement at Wall Street investment banks, consulting firms, and tech companies. The College of Business produces a notable IB pipeline, and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering feeds Lockheed, Boeing, and major construction firms. Median early-career earnings run around $70-75k per Scorecard, among the highest of mid-sized private universities. Lehigh's alumni network is particularly tight in NYC and Philadelphia finance.
Notable alumni
- Lee Iacocca — former Chrysler CEO
- Jeff Skoll — first eBay president, Participant Media founder
- Roger Penske — racing entrepreneur (attended)
- Donald Trump Jr. — businessman
- Eric Singer — Kiss drummer (attended)
- Terry Hart — NASA astronaut
Transfer pathway
Lehigh admits transfers for fall and spring entry. Applicants need at least 30 transferable credits with a strong GPA. Engineering transfers face additional requirements including specific calculus and physics prerequisites. The application uses the Common App transfer form with the Lehigh supplement.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
Lehigh is one of the clearest 'ED really matters' schools at this tier. If your stats are at the median and Lehigh is honestly your first choice, ED1 is the move and the math is on your side. If you can't commit binding, ED2 still helps. RD applicants with median stats and a generic supplement face long odds because the strongest applicants already locked their seats in earlier rounds.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.