Lehigh University admitted 29% of applicants for fall 2025 (5,601 of 19,342, Common Data Set 2025-26). Lehigh University admitted 47% of early decision applicants (966 of 2,040). Of the 1,988 students who took a spot on the wait list, 80 were admitted (4%). Lehigh University is test-optional for fall 2027.
The numbers
Applied
19,342
fall 2025
ACT, middle 50%
31–34
enrolled first-years
Accept their offer
28%
of admitted students enroll
Application fee
$75
waivers exist
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Can I get into Lehigh University?
29% of applicants get in
Competitive: your grades and the classes you took matter most. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1380–1480 on the SAT.
Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.
19,342 applied, 5,601 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).
Does Lehigh University need the SAT or ACT?Optional
No.
Test-optional for fall 2027. 30% of enrolled first-years sent the SAT. Send your SAT if it's 1430 or higher, the middle of what enrolled first-years scored.
For fall 2025, 966 of 2,040 early decision applicants got in (47%), against 29% overall. Early decision is binding: if you get in, you go.
Closed
Early decisionBinding
Was due Nov 1, 2026
Early-round numbers: Common Data Set, fall 2025.
The wait list
4,083 students were offered a wait-list spot and 1,988 took one. 80 of them got in (4%).
Common Data Set, fall 2025.
What Lehigh University looks at
Counts most
How hard your classes were, GPA.
Counts a lot
Class rank, SAT or ACT scores, essay, recommendations, activities, talent or ability, character, volunteering, showing interest (visits, emails).
Also considered
Interview, first in your family to go to college, A parent or relative went there, where you live, state residency, work experience.
As Lehigh University rates each factor in its Common Data Set, fall 2025.
Questions people ask
What is Lehigh University's acceptance rate?
Lehigh University admitted 29% of applicants for fall 2025 (5,601 of 19,342, Common Data Set 2025-26).
What SAT score do you need for Lehigh University?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1380–1480. A quarter of them scored higher and a quarter lower, so it's a typical range, not a cutoff (Common Data Set, fall 2025).
Is it easier to get into Lehigh University early decision?
For fall 2025, 966 of 2,040 early decision applicants got in (47%), against 29% overall. Early decision is binding: if you get in, you go. Early applicants often include recruited athletes and legacies, so the gap overstates the advantage for most students.
Does Lehigh University take students off the wait list?
4,083 students were offered a wait-list spot and 1,988 took one. 80 of them got in (4%).
Where these numbers come from
Admit rate and applicants: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
GPA, early rounds and wait list: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
