Lehigh University Admissions 2026: Application Deadline, Eligibility & Fees

Lehigh University Application Deadlines

Lehigh University runs distinct admission cycles for undergraduate and graduate levels. First-year international undergraduates apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application. Graduate applicants apply directly through Lehigh’s online portal, and each college sets its own department-level deadlines. The table below is drawn from the official Lehigh international students page and the college-specific graduate admissions pages.

Lehigh University’s primary intake for Indian students is Fall (August start), where the vast majority of undergraduate and graduate programs open admissions.

Insider note: If your first-choice programme is at the College of Arts and Sciences and you need financial aid, submit by 1 January 2027. The 30 June cushion exists only for self-funded applicants and closes the door on university awards.

Lehigh University Eligibility for Indian Students

Lehigh University sets separate academic and English-language floors for undergraduate and graduate levels. Programme-specific thresholds can run higher than the institution-wide minimums listed here, especially for the College of Business and Rossin engineering master’s tracks.

Undergraduate first-year (BS and BA programmes):

• Academic floor: Class XII (CBSE, ICSE, or state board) with a strong record. Competitive applicants sit around 85 percent or higher.
• Subject prerequisites: Engineering tracks expect Mathematics and Physics through Class XII. Business tracks expect Mathematics.
• SAT and ACT: Test-optional for the Fall 2027 cycle. Standardised scores cannot substitute for English proficiency evidence.
• English test minimums: IELTS 7.5 overall, TOEFL iBT 95 (for tests taken before 21 January 2026), or Duolingo 120.

Graduate master’s and PhD programmes:

• Academic floor: Four-year bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university. Minimum GPA 2.75/4.0 (roughly 60 percent). Competitive PG applicants sit at 3.0/4.0 or above, near 65 percent.
• Programme-specific requirements: Master’s applicants in engineering must have a bachelor’s in the same or a closely related field. MS Financial Engineering and MS Computer Science expect quantitative coursework.
• English test minimums: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79, or Duolingo 125.

Lehigh University IELTS Waiver for Indian Students

Lehigh waives its English-proficiency test requirement in two situations. First, if your first language is English. Second, and more useful for Indian applicants, if the last two full years of your completed formal instruction (not including the current year of study) have been in English. Most Indian applicants from English-medium schools qualify under this Medium of Instruction pathway. Attach an official MOI letter from your school or university on institutional letterhead, signed by the principal or registrar, when you upload documents.

Planning note: The MOI waiver is applied at Lehigh’s discretion. If your target programme is highly ranked or your grades are borderline, submit an IELTS or TOEFL score anyway. It removes an easy reason to defer or reject your file.

Note: Program-specific entry requirements, fees, and intake availability may differ from the institution-wide minimums shown above. Always confirm on the official Lehigh University page for your chosen program before applying.

Lehigh University PG Programs and English Scores

Lehigh runs graduate master’s admissions across five colleges: Business, Rossin Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Health, and Education. Most programmes admit for both Fall and Spring, though the Fall intake carries the widest programme choice and financial-aid consideration. Base tuition for most PG programmes sits between USD 46,350 (INR 44.11 Lakhs) and USD 74,652 (INR 71.02 Lakhs) per year. For the full course-wise fees breakdown across programmes, refer to the course-wise fees breakdown.

Note: Program-specific entry requirements, fees, and intake availability may differ from the institution-wide minimums shown above. Always confirm on the official Lehigh University page for your chosen program before applying.

Lehigh University Undergraduate Programs at Bethlehem

Lehigh’s undergraduate colleges are the College of Arts and Sciences, the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Business, and the College of Education. First-year international applicants declare a college on the Common App, and most students take courses across multiple colleges before formally choosing a major in the second year. Base UG tuition for the 2026-27 cycle is around USD 65,000 (INR 61.85 Lakhs) per year.

Key insight: Lehigh admits UG applicants to the university-wide first-year class, not directly to competitive engineering majors. If you want the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering, mark it as your first-choice college and demonstrate STEM strength in Class XII and essays.

Lehigh University MBA Requirements

Lehigh runs the FLEX MBA out of the College of Business. It is a part-time, hybrid programme mixing online coursework with periodic on-campus residencies at Bethlehem, and it takes 24 to 60 months to complete. Because attendance at some residencies is mandatory, Indian applicants have to plan visa and travel windows carefully.

Lehigh FLEX MBA Requirements and Deadlines

• Work experience: Minimum of 2 years of full-time, post-baccalaureate professional employment. Internships and co-ops do not count toward this floor.
• Academic record: Recognised bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• GMAT and GRE: Optional for admission. Applicants requesting merit scholarship consideration must submit a GMAT or GRE score.
• English proficiency: TOEFL 94 minimum. IELTS and Duolingo are also accepted at comparable bands.
• Application fee: USD 50 (INR 4,758), payable through the Lehigh graduate portal.
• Enrolment deposit: USD 500 (INR 47,580) once admission is accepted, to secure a seat.

Lehigh MBA Rounds for Fall 2027 and Adjacent Intakes

Interviews at Lehigh’s FLEX MBA are by-invitation-only after an initial application review. Shortlisted candidates receive a video-conference interview slot with the admissions team, typically two to four weeks after applying. Prepare short responses on career progression, why-MBA, and why-Lehigh.

Note: Program-specific entry requirements, fees, and intake availability may differ from the institution-wide minimums shown above. Always confirm on the official Lehigh University FLEX MBA page before applying.

Lehigh University PhD Application and Funding

Lehigh’s PhD programmes run out of the College of Arts and Sciences, the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering, the College of Business, and the College of Health. Most doctoral applications close in early January for Fall entry (with aid consideration) and are reviewed by faculty committees within each department. Indian PhD applicants apply through the same Lehigh graduate portal used for master’s programmes.

Lehigh University PhD Funding for Indian Students

Full-time PhD students at Lehigh are typically supported by multi-year assistantships that cover tuition and provide a stipend. In the College of Arts and Sciences (Department of English), teaching fellowships include a stipend of around USD 28,620 (INR 27.23 Lakhs) for the 2025-26 academic year. Rossin Engineering and other STEM departments run comparable research assistantships. Indian applicants are eligible for these Lehigh-funded assistantships on the same basis as domestic students, and are also encouraged to apply to Indian government scholarships and external agencies. For the full funding list including named fellowships, see the funding options for Indian students.

Lehigh PhD Application Materials

• Statement of purpose aligned with a named faculty member or research group.
• Three letters of recommendation, at least two from academic referees.
• Transcripts and CV covering all post-secondary study.
• GRE: Not required by most Lehigh PhD programmes. Check individual department pages.
• Writing samples or research abstracts where the department asks for them.

Insider note: A quality email to a Lehigh faculty member whose research overlaps yours, sent 6 to 8 weeks before the deadline, materially improves your file. Attach a two-page CV and a short paragraph on the specific project you want to work on.

Lehigh University Application Process for Indian Students

The Lehigh application flow differs by level. Undergraduate first-year applicants use the Common App or Coalition. Graduate applicants apply directly through Lehigh’s own portal. Both cycles ask for scanned academic records, English test scores, essays, and referee details before you submit.

1. Choose your platform: Undergraduates create an account on the Common Application, which opened for the 2026-27 cycle on 1 August 2026. Graduates open the Lehigh graduate portal for their target college.
2. Complete the profile: Fill personal, family, education, and testing sections. Add Lehigh as a college on the Common App and complete Lehigh’s supplemental essays.
3. Upload academic documents: Attested Class X and XII mark-sheets for UG. Bachelor’s transcripts and degree certificate for PG.
4. Add English proof: IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo score report, or an MOI letter if you are claiming the waiver.
5. Submit letters of recommendation: Two academic referees for UG through the Common App recommender system. Two to three referees for PG through the Lehigh portal.
6. Pay the application fee of USD 75 (INR 7,137) for UG on the Common App or USD 50 (INR 4,758) for PG on the Lehigh grad portal.
7. Track and respond: Monitor the applicant status page. Send any documents Lehigh requests after review.

Lehigh University Admission Decision Timeline

Lehigh releases undergraduate decisions on a fixed schedule while graduate decisions are staggered by department. The offer letter carries an acceptance deadline that Indian applicants must plan against alongside visa timelines.

• Early Decision I decisions: Released by mid-December 2026. ED I is binding for admits.
• Early Decision II decisions: Released by mid-February 2027. Also binding.
• Regular Decision offers: Released by late March 2027. Response deadline is 1 May 2027, the US-wide National Reply Date.
• Graduate offers: Rolling, typically within 4 to 8 weeks of a complete application. Response windows are set on the offer letter.
• Deferral policy: Approved on a case-by-case basis for medical or visa reasons. Contact your admissions officer as early as possible.

UG admits pay a non-refundable enrolment deposit within the response window to secure their seat. Once you deposit, Lehigh issues the I-20 for your F-1 student visa application.

Lehigh University Documents Required

Have every document ready in scanned PDF form before starting the application. Lehigh accepts unofficial scans at review; certified originals are requested only after an offer is issued.

For undergraduate first-year applicants:

• Scanned copies of Class X and Class XII mark-sheets and passing certificates.
• School counsellor report through the Common App.
• Two teacher recommendations through the Common App recommender system.
• Personal essay (Common App essay) and Lehigh supplemental essays.
• English proficiency score report (IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo) OR an MOI letter.
• Copy of passport bio-data page.
• Financial affidavit and bank statement demonstrating funds for the first year (requested after admission for the I-20).

For graduate master’s and PhD applicants:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate and consolidated marks statement or transcript.
• Statement of purpose tailored to the target programme.
• Two to three letters of recommendation uploaded via the referee link.
• Updated resume or CV.
• English proficiency score report or MOI letter.
• Passport bio-data scan.
• Work-experience letters for the MBA and other programmes where relevant.

Lehigh University Acceptance Rate and Class Profile

Lehigh sits in the selective mid-tier of US private research universities. Overall acceptance rate is estimated at around 35 percent based on recent admit cycles for first-year international applicants. Lehigh does not publish an institution-wide acceptance rate figure on its international admissions page, and admit rates vary across colleges — Rossin Engineering is markedly tighter than Arts and Sciences.

Lehigh Class Profile Highlights

• SAT range (mid-50%): Around 1350 to 1490 for recent admitted classes.
• International share: Roughly 8 to 10 percent of the undergraduate class.
• Yield rate: Around 24 to 27 percent, reflecting overlap with peer selective universities.

How Indian Applicants Should Read the Number

The headline rate flatters the odds for typical Indian applicants. Engineering admits from India often need Class XII near 90 percent, strong Math and Physics scores, and demonstrable extracurricular depth. Business and Arts and Sciences are more forgiving on numbers but weigh essays and interviews heavily. For a fuller view of Lehigh’s ranking band and how it compares against US peers, review the ranking page alongside admissions data.

Insider note: Lehigh reads first-year files holistically. A 92 percent Class XII score with weak essays and no leadership evidence loses to an 85 percent score with a sharp SOP and clear extracurricular narrative.

USA Student Visa Process for Lehigh University Applicants

Once you accept a Lehigh offer and pay the enrolment deposit, Lehigh’s international student office issues Form I-20. Indian students apply for the F-1 student visa at a US Consulate in India. The end-to-end process runs 4 to 8 weeks in normal conditions, so start immediately after receiving the I-20.

The F-1 process has five main steps. First, receive the I-20 from Lehigh by email and courier. Second, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of USD 350 (INR 33,306) online. Third, complete Form DS-160 online and pay the visa application (MRV) fee of USD 185 (INR 17,605). Fourth, schedule a visa interview at a US Consulate (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, or Hyderabad). Fifth, attend the interview with documents including your passport, DS-160 confirmation, I-20, SEVIS receipt, offer letter, academic records, and financial documents proving funds for the first year.

2026 update: Visa interview wait times in India have varied widely by consulate through 2025-26. Book your slot the moment you have the I-20 in hand. Deposit slots for the first year should be liquid and dated, not fixed deposits maturing after your I-20 start date.

Tips and Checklist for Lehigh University Admissions

The following tips and steps are drawn from Indian-applicant patterns at Lehigh. Combine early planning with disciplined document collection to hit deadlines without stress.

• Start 10 to 12 months out: Book IELTS or TOEFL by month one so scores land before you fill applications.
• Use the INTLwaiver2027 fee waiver code: Lehigh offers a UG application fee waiver for eligible international applicants using this code on the Common App.
• Request transcripts 8 weeks before deadline: Indian university transcript delivery is unpredictable, so build in buffer.
• Draft supplemental essays two months in advance: Lehigh’s why-Lehigh essay rewards specific mentions of programmes, faculty, or the Mountaintop summer research initiative.
• Approach recommenders 6 weeks before submission: Send them a one-pager on your goals plus the recommender link.
• Confirm MOI eligibility with your school registrar: Ask for the MOI letter on institutional letterhead if you plan to use the English test waiver.
• Track funds early: Lehigh will ask for evidence of one full year of cost of attendance for the I-20 after admission.
• Book visa slot within a week of receiving the I-20: US Consulate wait times in India can be long during peak Fall intake months.

Review Lehigh’s full program list for Indian students before finalising your programme choice on the application.

Lehigh University admissions reward specificity, disciplined document collection, and early planning. Confirm every date and dollar against the official Lehigh page before you file — the deadlines, fees, and English minimums shift each cycle.