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Colleges / Lehigh University

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate37%

Lehigh Tuition Information

In 2022, Lehigh's tuition was $61,180 a year.

Tuition increased 3.75% in 2023–from $58,970 the prior year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers sound impossible, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students pay much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until you're done with college.

Lehigh University meets 98% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Lehigh University is around $56,219 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $37,147 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Lehigh University

Lehigh University is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for students from Pennsylvania as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you are eligible for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Take the time to check your state's eligibility criteria for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Tuition for International Students at Lehigh University

Tuition at Lehigh University is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or Lehigh University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Lehigh University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideLehigh University •Lehigh University-specific loans •Lehigh University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


Lehigh University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Lehigh University.

Room and Board Costs at Lehigh University

Housing and campus dining at Lehigh University costs $16,470 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities. Students who live off campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $9,680.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Lehigh University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer ways for students with financial need to get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Lehigh University, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is often pricey, but cities may offer more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Lehigh University campus is in a suburb in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


Financial Breakdown for Lehigh University


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Lehigh University.

Total Cost of Lehigh University

What will the cost of attending Lehigh University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $61,180
Room and Board $16,470
Board Only $6,790
Other expenses $1,500

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $80,150
Off-Campus $70,470

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Lehigh University


In 2023, 2,402 of the 5,624 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Lehigh University meets 98% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $56,219 a year. Around 45% of Lehigh University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Lehigh University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $37,147 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $20,716
Lehigh University-Specific Loans $4,136
Private Loans $56,849
Most Common Loans for Lehigh University Students
Federal Loans 43%
Institutional Loans 12%
Private loans 13%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Lehigh University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Lehigh University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Lehigh University awarded 2,355 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $115.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $11.5 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Lehigh University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Lehigh University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Lehigh University was $56,219 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Lehigh University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $23,931
Off-Campus $14,251

What will attending Lehigh University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Lehigh University's net cost calculator on their website.

Lehigh University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Lehigh University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Lehigh University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Lehigh Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Lehigh has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Lehigh University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Lehigh University's endowment was valued at $1.7 billion in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million.


Learn More About Lehigh University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Lehigh University

Lehigh Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$78,650

In State

$78,650

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$61,180
$61,180
Fees
$1,000
$1,000
Housing
$16,470
$16,470
Books
Unknown
Unknown

Lehigh Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

42%

Average Financial Aid Package

$56,618

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

7,394

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

37%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$62,180

Out-of-State

$62,180

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 15
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