Lehigh University Tuition and Fees

Lehigh University Tuition and Fees

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    By Susan Guillory

    (Last Updated – 07/2022)

    Total Cost of Attendance

    Lehigh University, located in Pennsylvania, is known for being a well-respected private research facility with a low student-to-faculty ratio. Lehigh tuition is higher than most private four-year universities, at $57,470 per year (2021-22). The national average for tuition is $35,807 per year.

    Costs for 2021-22

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $57,470

    $57,470

    Books & Supplies

    $1,000

    $1,000

    Room & Board

    $15,330

    $15,330

    Other Expenses

    $1,065

    $1,065

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $74,865

    $74,865

    Financial Aid

    More than half of the students don’t pay out of pocket for Lehigh tuition and fees. In fact, 69% of them receive student loans, grants, or scholarships. Get student loan and scholarship information so you can form a plan for how you’ll pay for college.

    Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

    The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

    •  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

    •  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

    •  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

    •  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

    Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

    You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

    •  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

    •  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

    Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

    Private Student Loans

    There are two options for student loans: federal and private. When it comes to federal student loans, 38% of Lehigh students took them out, while 12% opted for private student loans. The average private student loan per year is $13,694.

    Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

    What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

    Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

    If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

    Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

    Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

    The price to attend Lehigh University for four years, including Lehigh tuition, room and board, books, and other fees, is $299,460 (based on 2021-22 rates). This is higher than the average cost for private school tuition and room and board in the U.S. of $219,520 for four years, per CollegeData.com.

    Here’s some Pennsylvania Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

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    Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

    Costs for 2021-22

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Tuition & Fees

    $57,470

    $57,470

    Room & Board

    $1,000

    $1,000

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $58,470

    $58,470

    In 2021-22, Lehigh students paid $57,470 for Lehigh tuition costs and $1,000 in fees, for a total of $58,470. The average for private universities in the U.S. is similar, at $54,880 per year.

    Graduate Tuition and Fees

    Costs for 2021-22

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Tuition

    $27,000

    $27,000

    Fees

    $130

    $130

    Total Cost of Attendance

    $27,130

    $27,130

    In addition to undergraduate studies, Lehigh also offers graduate school, which costs $27,130. This is higher than the average tuition for graduate school at a private institution in the United States of $19,493. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

    Cost per Credit Hour

    If you’d prefer to attend Lehigh University part-time (fewer than 12 credit hours per semester), you would pay $2,460 per credit. You may also be eligible to take out student loans as a part-time student.

    Campus Housing Expenses

    Costs for 2021-22

    Student Type

    In-State

    Out-State

    Books & Supplies

    $1,000

    $1,000

    Room & Board

    $15,330

    Starts at $1169*

    Other Expenses

    $1,065

    $1,065

    *Based on studio pricing. Average rate based on available apartments on Lehigh’s affiliate off-campus housing website in 2022.

    All first- and second-year students at Lehigh University are required to live on campus. On-campus housing includes residence halls, suite and apartment style housing, and fraternity and sorority housing.

    Lehigh has affiliate partners who offer off-campus housing to upperclassmen, and there are other options near campus including houses, duplexes, and apartments. Check out this resource to learn more about off-campus housing.

    Lehigh University Acceptance Rate

    Fall 2020

    Number of applications

    12,389

    Number accepted

    6,194

    Percentage Accepted

    50%

    When it comes to the Lehigh acceptance rate, half of all students who apply are accepted.

    Admission Requirements

    Here’s what you need to be admitted to Lehigh as a first-year student:

    Required:

    •  School report

    •  Official high school transcript

    •  Counselor recommendation

    •  Teacher recommendation

    •  Mid-year school report and transcript

    •  Final school report and transcript

    Recommended:

    •  SAT or ACT scores

    The deadline for Early Decision I is November 15, with a decision given in mid-December. The deadline for Early Decision II is January 1, with a decision in mid-February. The Regular Decision deadline is January 1, with a decision given in late March. You can apply to Lehigh University here .

    SAT and ACT Scores

    Lehigh University does not require ACT or SAT scores through the 2023-24 school years. Here are the average scores based on 25th and 75th percentiles:

    Subject

    25th Percentile

    75th Percentile

    SAT Evidence-Based
    Reading/Writing

    610

    693

    SAT Math

    650

    740

    ACT Composite

    29

    33

    ACT English

    29

    34

    ACT Math

    27

    32

    Graduation Rate

    Lehigh has a fairly high graduation rate. Here are the percentage of students who, after starting their studies in 2014, graduated in either four or six years:

    •  4 years: 79%

    •  6 years: 88%

    Post-Graduation Median Earnings

    A degree from Lehigh can be valuable in the workplace. On average, Lehigh graduates earned $95,033 a year. The national average for four-year schools is $47,891.

    Bottom Line

    Lehigh tuition costs may be higher than average, but in return, you’ll get low student-to-faculty ratios and great learning opportunities, as well as the possibility to earn nearly double the national average for graduates.

    SoFi private student loans offer competitive interest rates for qualifying borrowers, flexible repayment plans, and no origination fees.

    View Your Rate

    Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd

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