Lehigh University’s rankings have seen an incredible rise in the last few years. Our 1-MBA program made a dramatic 32-spot jump in the US News & World Report rankings. This jump shows a radical alteration in our academic standing.
The business school’s success spans multiple programs. Lehigh’s MBA consistently ranks in the top 15 nationally. The business school keeps its standards high with a selective acceptance rate. These wins go beyond MBA programs and include our undergraduate business courses and specialized master’s degrees.
Let me break down what’s driving Lehigh’s growing reputation. We’ll look at our ROI metrics that rank among the top 5 nationally and analyze how each program adds to our academic excellence.
Lehigh’s MBA Programs Rise in National Rankings
The College of Business has made remarkable strides in national rankings for multiple MBA programs. Our 1-MBA program achieved the largest jump of any business school in its category and advanced 32 spots to reach 66th place in the 2024 U.S. News ranking of full-time MBA programs.
This accomplishment stands out even more because our 1-MBA program is the only one-year AACSB-accredited full-time MBA program in the Lehigh Valley. Students, both local and international, have responded positively to our cross-disciplinary approach that emphasizes experiential learning.
Our FLEX MBA program maintains its excellence with current rankings:
- #37 among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online MBA Programs
- Top 5 online MBA programs in Pennsylvania
- #16 according to Poets&Quants
These ranking improvements stem from several strengths:
- Faculty’s dedication to student excellence
- Integrated core curriculum
- Advanced web-based learning environment
- Flexible program delivery options
The FLEX MBA’s innovative approach makes us proud. Students can easily attend classes on campus or online throughout their educational experience. Our integrated, web-based learning environment brings immediate instruction from campus classrooms to students at home, in their offices, or while traveling.
Strong scores across multiple ranking categories demonstrate our programs’ success. These include faculty credentials, student services, and academic excellence. Our steadfast dedication to student excellence through an integrated core curriculum helps maintain our strong reputation in the competitive MBA world.
Lehigh University Application Details
- Regular Decision Deadline: January 15
- Early Decision Deadline: November 1
- Common Application: Accepted
- Housing Deposit Deadline: May 1
International Student Application Details
- Application Deadline for Fall Admission: January 1
- Separate Application Form: Not Required
- Conditional Admission: Not Offered
- Early Admission Options: Early Decision Only
- English Proficiency Tests:
- TOEFL (Internet-based): Required for some applicants
- IELTS: Required for some applicants
- Michigan Test: Not Accepted
- Standardized Tests:
- SAT: Considered
- ACT: Considered
- TOEFL not accepted as a substitute for SAT or ACT
- Advance Deposit: Not Required
Subjects Offered at Lehigh University
Lehigh University offers a diverse range of subjects across various disciplines. Below are the subject areas and their corresponding rankings based on the World University Rankings:
| Subject Area | Ranking | Specific Fields |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 401–500th | Education |
| Arts and Humanities | 501–600th | Languages, Literature, and Linguistics; History, Philosophy, and Theology; Art, Performing Art, and Design; Architecture |
| Business and Economics | 401–500th | Economics and Econometrics; Business and Management; Accounting and Finance |
| Computer Science | 301–400th | Computer Science |
| Engineering | 401–500th | General Engineering; Civil Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering |
| Social Sciences | 501–600th | Sociology; Politics and International Studies; Communication and Media Studies |
| Psychology | 301–400th | Psychology |
| Physical Sciences | 501–600th | Chemistry; Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences; Physics and Astronomy; Mathematics and Statistics |
This array of programs reflects Lehigh University’s strong commitment to academic excellence across disciplines.
Outstanding ROI and Career Outcomes
Our business programs’ exceptional value clearly shows in our top 5 national ranking for salary-to-debt ratio. Students in our 1-MBA program achieve an impressive 4.4-to-1 salary-to-debt ratio. This showcases our steadfast dedication to giving students an outstanding return on their investment.
The job market just needs more Lehigh talent, as shown by our employment outcomes. Recent data reveals that 95.4% of our business graduates find employment, pursue further education, or join military/volunteer service within six months after graduation. The College of Business leads Lehigh with the highest post-graduation employment rate at 80.8%.
Our graduates thrive in a variety of industries, with strong placement numbers in:
- Financial Services (30%)
- Technology (30%)
- Consulting (8%)
- Government (8%)
- Media/Entertainment (8%)
We have developed reliable partnerships with industry leaders that create valuable opportunities for students. Our corporate partners include global leaders like Air Products, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and Johnson & Johnson. Students gain real-life experience and strong recruitment connections through our Center for Supply Chain Research’s cooperation with major corporations like Walmart, Lutron, and B. Braun.
Our graduates land positions at prestigious firms like Amazon, Bank of America, Deloitte, and PwC, which proves our partnerships’ effectiveness. These relationships help our students earn an average starting salary of $95,699. This figure stands substantially higher than Pennsylvania’s average of $89,328 and the national average of $81,243.
Specialty Programs’ Competitive Edge
Our specialty master’s programs have built upon our MBA’s achievements by earning notable positions in national and global rankings. TFE Times ranks our MS in Financial Engineering program among the Top 25 Best Master’s of Financial Engineering Programs. This recognition establishes our program as a leading choice for students pursuing quantitative finance education.
Students benefit from our innovative MS in Financial Engineering curriculum that blends advanced finance concepts with quantitative analysis tools. The program equips graduates with skills needed for specialized careers in portfolio management, trading, risk management, and data science. Strong professional development initiatives and networking opportunities in major financial hubs showcase our program’s effectiveness.
The MS in Business Analytics program has earned a spot among the top 50 Masters in Business Analytics programs in North America. Three core pillars drive the program’s success:
- Fundamental disciplinary knowledge
- Advanced technical skills development
- Professional skill enhancement
Our graduate programs stand out because of their STEM designation and interdisciplinary approach. Through collaboration with multiple colleges, we offer unique degree combinations:
- MBA and Engineering joint degree
- MS in Financial Engineering with Engineering and Arts & Sciences
- MBA and Educational Leadership collaboration
Our AACSB accreditation places us among the top 25% of U.S. business schools. This recognition of excellence shows in our graduates’ career paths, as they secure roles across industries – from business analytics to quantitative finance positions.
Key Student Statistics at Lehigh University
Below is a breakdown of student statistics:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Gender Ratio | 46% Female : 54% Male |
| International Students | 16% |
| Students per Staff | 11.5 |
| Total Student Enrollment | 6,768 |
Data is based on the World University Rankings 2025.
In addition to its overall college rankings, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025 rankings highlighted several specialized lists, including Best Salaries, where Lehigh University earned the impressive position of No. 13. This list ranks institutions based on the impact of their graduates’ salaries relative to the cost of attendance.
The 2025 rankings expanded to include 100 additional schools, with half of this year’s top 50 being newcomers. The rankings were informed by survey responses from nearly 55,000 students and alumni collected online between January and May 2024, combined with over 57,000 responses from the previous year. After removing duplicates, the final dataset included responses from more than 112,000 students and alumni.
Asra Nomani is a distinguished author and journalist, covering a wide array of education topics such as Admissions, Courses, Careers, and Student Life. Her work shines a spotlight on the challenges and opportunities within these areas, offering readers valuable insights and actionable advice. With a commitment to empowering students and families, Asra brings clarity and depth to critical issues, helping individuals navigate the complexities of the educational landscape.