Location: Bethlehem, PA

Undergrad Student Pop: Approximately 6,000 (medium)

Type: Private

FUN FACTS: Lehigh University

1. 1. Historic Rivalry – Lehigh is part of an infamous football rivalry with Lafayette College and is known as “The Rivalry.” Although it isn’t the oldest college football rivalry- the first began in 1874 while the Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry began in 1884- “The Rivalry” has the longest uninterrupted game streak, going for 125 seasons straight. “The Rivalry” has seen 161 games as of the 2025 college football season.
   2. Amusement Ride to Everyday Convenience – The Lehigh Alumnus Jesse W. Reno, class of 1883, invented the escalator. Reno’s “inclined elevator” was patented in 1892 and first showcased in 1896. The escalator was presented to the public and used as an amusement ride on Coney Island where an estimated 75,000 people rode on it. Rumor is that he was inspired by the many stairs across Lehigh’s campus.
   3. Iconic Bridges & Buildings – Howard H. McClintic and Charles D. Marshall graduated from Lehigh with engineering degrees in 1888. This pair went on to co-found McClintic-Marshall Construction Co. that, as a subsidiary of Bethlehem Steel, built some of the most iconic structures of the 20th century. The Golden Gate Bridge, the George Washington Bridge, the Waldorf Astoria, the Empire State Building, and the locks of the Panama Canal were all built by the McClintic-Marshall Construction Co. In fact, a large amount of the steel used for the Golden Gate Bridge came from Bethlehem, PA. Lehigh has memorialized the pair with the McClintic-Marshall House (“M&M” as the students call it), a residence hall that houses approximately 280 first-year students.
   4. Lehigh Around the World – Yet another famous graduate from Lehigh! Lee Iacocca was an industrial engineering major who graduated in 1945 completing his degree in only three years. Iacocca helped develop the iconic Ford Mustang in the mid-1960s and played an integral role in the history of American automotives by rescuing Chrysler Corporation from bankruptcy in the late 1970s. More than an engineer, Iacocca was a philanthropist; in support of his alma mater he donated the funds to purchase what is now Mountain Campus (1986), co-founded the Iacocca Institute (1988), and established the fully-funded Iacocca International Internship Program (2011). The Iacocca International Internship Program has sent students to 50 countries so far. He is an inspiring influence for students and graduates alike and his legacy lives on through the university.
   5. World Heritage Site – Bethlehem, PA is known as “Christmas City, USA” and claims to have raised the first documented Christmas tree in what would become the United States in 1747. The city was founded on December 24th, 1741 by Moravian settlers and as of 2024, Bethlehem’s Moravian Village is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is home to the top-ranked and extremely popular Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, a holiday market that hosts vendors from across the country as well as a few international guests. It is a hot spot for tourists and attendance records have shot to 140K+ each year.

TOP 3 TAKEAWAYS: Lehigh University

To help students determine if a school is a good fit for them, it’s important to consider these three aspects of each school on your list. Evaluate each school based, in part, on the following:

ACADEMIC – Lehigh provides a rigorous academic experience with special emphasis on engineering, science, and business. It has some excellent interdisciplinary programs between engineering and business, integrating the two in a way not often found at other universities. Lehigh also has a strong Environmental Studies major, in which a student can emphasize either the sciences or the policy aspects of the subject. Lehigh is also expanding its public health programs and is a strong fit for a student interested in pre-health.

FINANCIAL – As a private university, Lehigh’s quoted cost of attendance is high. They meet almost all demonstrated needs, and also provide some merit money to students not eligible for need based aid.

SOCIAL – Greek life is very important at Lehigh, so students need to consider that before deciding to attend. While there are frequent parties, given the “work hard, play hard” lifestyle at Lehigh, there are also alternatives for students who would rather get together in small groups with friends or explore the local area.

PRO TIP FOR VISITING: Lehigh University

When you’re touring Lehigh, pay special attention to the outdoor art collection. Lehigh has an extensive collection of over 50 outdoor sculptures total on all three campuses (Asa Packer, Mountaintop, and Goodman.) They are highlighted on the school’s website where you can download the outdoor sculpture guide, which suggests thematic routes and explains more about the art pieces.

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