Lehigh University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on February 10, 2026- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit scholarships awarded with admission
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a closer look
- Honors-style programs and how awards can stack
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~36%
- Middle 50% ACT: 30–34
- Middle 50% SAT: 1380–1490
- Average GPA (HS): 3.85
Source: Lehigh University Common Data Set (2024–2025). Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
🧠 Lehigh Reality Check (Read This Before You Count on Scholarships)
- Lehigh meets 100% of demonstrated need — but it uses Lehigh’s formula (not FAFSA alone).
- Merit exists, but it’s concentrated. The biggest awards (half/full tuition) usually go to students at the very top of the admitted pool.
- CSS Profile is non-negotiable for grants. Missing it can mean missing access to Lehigh institutional grant money, even if your FAFSA shows need.
- Home equity can matter here. Some middle-income homeowners get a higher “expected contribution” at CSS Profile schools than they expect.
- Lehigh can be cheaper than a flagship for families with strong need — and much more expensive for families who don’t qualify for grants.
CRP tip: Run the Net Price Calculator early and treat financial aid forms like they’re due on the same timeline as your application plan.
Lehigh at a Glance
https://data.lehigh.edu/common-data-set
https://data.lehigh.edu/sites/data.lehigh.edu/files/4.18.2025_CDS-2024-2025_FINAL.pdf
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/institutionprofile.aspx?unitId=213543
https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions/tuition-affording-college/merit-scholarships
💰 Cost of Attendance at Lehigh University (2026–2027)
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once the university releases official 2026–2027 numbers.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
These are the direct, billed costs for a full-time undergraduate student living on campus. Since Lehigh is a private university, in-state and out-of-state rates are the same. Additional expenses like transportation, books, and personal costs are not billed by the university but still factor into aid eligibility.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $67,920 | $67,920 |
| Housing & Meals | $18,180 | $18,180 |
| Total (Direct/Billed) | $86,100 | $86,100 |
Why only these items? We include the costs you typically pay directly to Lehigh — tuition/required fees, housing, and meals. Lehigh’s published Cost of Attendance also includes indirect expenses that vary by student, such as:
- Books, course materials, and supplies
- Transportation (travel to/from Bethlehem + local costs)
- Personal/miscellaneous expenses
- Loan fees (if applicable)
📉 Average Net Price (What Families Actually Pay)
The average net price is approximately $33,549 per year after grants and scholarships (federal IPEDS/College Scorecard).
Net price varies a lot at private colleges: families with strong need-based eligibility (and some merit) may pay far less than the sticker price,
while families who don’t qualify for aid may be much closer to the full billed total.
Tip: Use Lehigh’s Net Price Calculator (official estimate) and compare that result to your student’s likely scholarship range.
🎯 How Outside Scholarships Usually Apply at Lehigh (Plain English)
Many parents assume outside scholarships will automatically reduce the Lehigh bill dollar-for-dollar. At most private “meet need” schools, that’s not how it works.
- First, outside scholarships typically fill any unmet need in the package.
- Next, they often replace loans and/or work-study.
- Only after that do they reduce institutional grants (and total gift aid can’t exceed cost of attendance).
CRP takeaway: Outside scholarships are still worth pursuing — just don’t plan on them being a guaranteed “bill reducer” unless Lehigh confirms how they apply them.
Lehigh University requires the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA to award institutional need-based financial aid. This form digs deeper into family finances and is a major factor in determining grants at private colleges.
Missing the CSS Profile can mean missing out on tens of thousands of dollars in Lehigh grant aid — even if you qualify on paper.
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at Lehigh University
Why are in-state and out-of-state costs identical?
Because Lehigh is private. Public universities often discount tuition for residents (supported by state taxes), but private colleges generally charge one published rate for everyone.
What’s included in “Tuition & Mandatory Fees” here?
This line reflects the tuition and required university fees used in Lehigh’s published on-campus Cost of Attendance for 2025–2026.
Some fees can vary slightly by college/program (and first-year students may see one-time orientation costs), but the total billed estimate is designed to represent a typical full-time student.
Why does Lehigh list other expenses if they aren’t billed?
Federal financial aid rules require schools to include estimated indirect costs (like books and transportation) in the Cost of Attendance because they affect how much aid a student can receive—even if you don’t pay those expenses directly to the university.
Is the $33,549 net price what we should expect to pay?
It’s a real federal average, but not a prediction for your family. Net price can be much lower for students who qualify for strong need-based aid (and sometimes merit),
and much higher for families who don’t qualify for institutional grants. Always run the Net Price Calculator to get a better estimate.
Do out-of-state students have any special discount programs (WUE/MSEP/ACM/NEBHE)?
Not in the way public universities do. Since Lehigh uses one tuition rate for all students, regional tuition exchanges and reciprocity programs generally don’t apply here.
What’s the smartest way to reduce cost at Lehigh?
Focus on (1) maximizing eligibility for institutional need-based aid (file financial aid forms early), (2) aiming for merit where available,
and (3) stacking outside scholarships when allowed. On private-college pricing, the “sticker” number matters less than your final net price.
https://catalog.lehigh.edu/informationofgeneralinterest/costofattendance/
https://financeadmin.lehigh.edu/content/undergraduate-tuition-and-fees
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/institutionprofile.aspx?unitId=213543
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/reported-data/213543
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at Lehigh University
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dean’s Scholarship | $15,000–$25,000 per year | Strong academic performance and leadership; awarded from admission file | No | Yes (with GPA/enrollment requirements) | High-achieving admitted students | Admission deadline |
| Founders’ & Trustees’ Scholarships | Half to full tuition | Top-tier academic applicants selected during admission review | No | Yes | Students at the very top of the admitted pool | Admission deadline |
| Alice P. Gast Women in STEM Scholarship | $12,500 per year | Women admitted to STEM majors; continued STEM enrollment required | No | Yes | High-achieving women pursuing STEM fields | Admission deadline |
| Lehigh Merit / National Merit Scholarship | $1,000–$2,000 per year | National Merit Finalists who enroll at Lehigh | No | Yes | National Merit Finalists | Admission deadline |
| Athletic Scholarships | Varies by sport | NCAA eligibility; coach selection | No (coach-driven) | Yes (with eligibility) | Recruited student-athletes | Sport-specific |
FAQ — Automatic Merit at Lehigh University
Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No. The scholarships listed above are awarded automatically based on the admission application. Competitive, program-based awards are covered separately.
When are merit decisions released?
Automatic merit scholarships are typically included in the admission decision notification.
Does Lehigh superscore test results?
Yes. Lehigh allows superscored ACT and SAT results for admission review, which is the same file used to award automatic merit.
Can merit scholarships stack with need-based aid?
Yes. Lehigh packages merit scholarships alongside institutional need-based grants when applicable.
https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions/tuition-affording-college/merit-scholarships
https://catalog.lehigh.edu/informationofgeneralinterest/financialaid/sourcesofuniversityaid/
🏆 Flagship & Competitive Scholarships at Lehigh University
These are Lehigh’s highest-impact, competitive scholarships. They typically involve separate applications, cohort selection, or additional review beyond the standard admission file.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soaring Together Scholarship Program | Full tuition | Admitted students invited to apply; requires a short program-specific response focused on leadership and gender equity | Yes (short program application) | Yes (with program participation) | Small cohort of top admitted students with strong leadership, academic strength, and alignment with the program mission | By invitation (after admission) |
FAQ — Flagship & Competitive Scholarships at Lehigh
How is a flagship scholarship different from automatic merit?
Automatic merit is awarded directly from the admission file with no extra steps. Flagship scholarships like Soaring Together require an additional application or prompt and are awarded to a much smaller, highly selected group.
Do I have to be admitted before applying?
Yes. Students must first be admitted to Lehigh before being invited to apply for the Soaring Together Scholarship Program.
Is Soaring Together need-based or merit-based?
It is a merit-based program with a leadership and mission focus, though it is packaged alongside financial aid.
How competitive is this program?
Very. Only a small cohort is selected each year from among Lehigh’s strongest admitted applicants.
If I’m not selected, can I still receive other scholarships?
Yes. Students not chosen for flagship programs can still receive automatic merit, need-based aid, and additional departmental or participation-based awards covered in later sections.
https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions/tuition-affording-college/soaring-together-scholarship-program
https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions/tuition-affording-college/merit-scholarships
🎖 Honors & Scholars Programs at Lehigh University
Lehigh does not operate a single, centralized Honors College with its own scholarship pool. Instead, it offers selective, honors-style scholars programs that focus on academic enrichment, faculty mentorship, and curricular flexibility rather than guaranteed additional merit aid.
- Admission to scholars programs is competitive and cohort-based.
- Programs emphasize research, advising, and academic freedom.
- There is no clearly defined, honors-only tuition scholarship separate from Lehigh’s general merit awards.
Eckardt Scholars Program (College of Arts & Sciences)
Lehigh’s most prominent honors-style offering is the Eckardt Scholars Program in the College of Arts & Sciences. It is designed for students who want significant academic flexibility, close faculty engagement, and an individualized curriculum.
- Small, selective cohort within the College of Arts & Sciences
- Freedom to design interdisciplinary academic paths
- Strong emphasis on research, discussion-based learning, and mentorship
- Separate application and selection process
FAQ — Honors & Scholars at Lehigh University
Does Lehigh have an Honors College?
Not in the traditional sense. Lehigh uses scholars programs (like Eckardt) rather than a single campus-wide Honors College.
Do honors programs come with extra scholarship money?
Not automatically. Lehigh does not list a separate honors-only scholarship pool. Any merit or need-based aid is awarded through the standard financial aid process.
Is Eckardt only for Arts & Sciences students?
Yes. The Eckardt Scholars Program is housed in the College of Arts & Sciences and is not open to all colleges.
Is the Eckardt program worth it if there’s no extra money?
For the right student, yes. The value is academic: smaller cohorts, faculty access, research opportunities, and flexibility that can matter for graduate school or competitive career paths.
If my student isn’t selected, are there other enrichment options?
Yes. Many students pursue research, departmental honors, and faculty-led projects outside formal scholars programs.
⭐ College Specialty
Lehigh University is best known for combining the feel of a selective liberal arts college with the resources of a high-powered research university. Families are often drawn to Lehigh for its strong engineering and business outcomes, but what really sets it apart is how early undergraduates are pushed into real-world problem solving, research, and leadership—often side by side with faculty.
🚀 Lehigh “5th Year” Upside (For Certain High-Achieving Students)
Lehigh is known for ambitious interdisciplinary tracks (like engineering + business combinations) where finishing in four years can be tight. In some cases, students may have access to a tuition-free 5th year opportunity through select programs tied to strong academic performance.
Important: This is a powerful bonus for the right student — not something every family should budget as guaranteed. Always confirm current requirements and eligibility directly with Lehigh.
Engineering & Applied Sciences — Lehigh’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering is nationally respected for hands-on engineering education, undergraduate research access, and industry-aligned programs. Students frequently engage in design projects, research labs, and cross-disciplinary work well before senior year.
- Business & Entrepreneurship: The College of Business is known for integrating analytics, entrepreneurship, and real-world consulting projects, with strong placement into finance, consulting, and corporate roles.
- Computer Science & Data-Focused Fields: CS is a fast-growing strength at Lehigh, especially where it overlaps with engineering, business analytics, and applied research.
- Undergraduate Research: Lehigh places unusual emphasis on faculty–student research collaboration, even for first- and second-year students—an advantage for students considering graduate school or research-heavy careers.
- Interdisciplinary Programs: Lehigh encourages students to combine engineering, business, and liberal arts perspectives, particularly in areas like health, sustainability, and technology-driven problem solving.
🔗 Official Lehigh University Links
Use Lehigh’s official university resources below to verify admissions details, scholarship policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines and award terms.
-
Undergraduate Admissions:
https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions -
Application Plans & Deadlines (ED / RD):
https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions/apply -
Merit Scholarships & Institutional Aid:
https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions/tuition-affording-college/merit-scholarships -
Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
https://catalog.lehigh.edu/informationofgeneralinterest/costofattendance/ -
Net Price Calculator:
https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/lehigh -
Common Data Set & Institutional Research:
https://data.lehigh.edu/common-data-set