Lehigh Admission Requirements

9/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Bethlehem, PA
3.8 6 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

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Lehigh Admission Overview

Lehigh admission requirements are highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Pennsylvania. Last year Lehigh admitted 25.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1370-1500 / ACT 31-34. Lehigh is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Lehigh is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements

Lehigh Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

25.9%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Lehigh acceptance rate is 25.9%. Last year, only 5,289 of 20,396 applicants were admitted. That is the 6th lowest acceptance rate in Pennsylvania and the 93rd lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Lehigh and can you get accepted?

Lehigh is a highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 28% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Lehigh GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.81*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.81*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Lehigh has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.81 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. Lehigh is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*3.81 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Lehigh Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Lehigh University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. The university has extended its SAT and ACT optional policy indefinitely, so you may choose whether to submit scores. If you send scores, you may self-report them on the Common Application or Coalition Application; Lehigh superscores the SAT and the ACT, and official reports from the testing agency are required before the first day of classes if you enroll. The ACT Science section is not required, but if you take it you should report that score.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www2.lehigh.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements

Lehigh SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1370-1500

Freshmen who sent SAT

30%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 680
Math 690
Composite 1370

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 730
Math 770
Composite 1500

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Lehigh typically score around a 1440 SAT (middle 50% 1370–1500) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 97th percentile nationally. Lehigh ranks #6 in the state of Pennsylvania and #77 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1370 to 1500

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Lehigh is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1440 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Lehigh University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1500+	Above 75th	>40%
1440 to 1500	Avg +	27%-40%
1370 to 1440	Avg -	16%-27%
Below 1370	Below mid-50	<16%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Lehigh ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

31-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 31
Math 28
Composite 31

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 33
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Lehigh typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 31–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Lehigh places #7 among colleges in Pennsylvania and #84 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 31 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Lehigh without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Lehigh University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34+	Above 75th	>45%
32 to 34	Avg +	26%-45%
31 to 32	Avg -	19%-26%
Below 31	Below mid-50	<19%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Lehigh chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Lehigh University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	9,834	10,556	20,396
Accepted	2,736	2,551	5,289
Acceptance Rate	28%	24%	26%
Enrolled	706	795	1,501
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	26%	31%	28%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Lehigh University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Lehigh University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

123

Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Lehigh University is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Lehigh University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Lehigh is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 25.9% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1370-1500); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025