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Lehigh acceptance rate
Lehigh University · Bethlehem, Pennsylvania · Private nonprofit · 5,898 undergraduates
The rate slipped from 34% in 2014 to 26% in 2024, while the typical four-year college moved the other way (up about 6 points). Only about 6 in 100 four-year colleges admit a smaller share of applicants. Wesleyan University is the hardest to get into among the six schools closest to Lehigh in size and selectivity (16%); Mississippi Christian University is the easiest (29%).
Acceptance rate since 2001
Show the numbers by year
| Fall | Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20,396 | 5,289 | 25.9% | 1,501 |
| 2023 | 18,415 | 5,389 | 29.3% | 1,531 |
| 2022 | 15,163 | 5,607 | 37.0% | 1,511 |
| 2021 | 14,107 | 6,485 | 46.0% | 1,519 |
| 2020 | 12,389 | 6,138 | 49.5% | 1,370 |
| 2019 | 15,649 | 5,023 | 32.1% | 1,406 |
| 2018 | 15,622 | 3,488 | 22.3% | 1,275 |
| 2017 | 13,871 | 3,489 | 25.2% | 1,234 |
| 2016 | 13,403 | 3,499 | 26.1% | 1,249 |
| 2015 | 12,843 | 3,905 | 30.4% | 1,261 |
| 2014 | 11,512 | 3,945 | 34.3% | 1,299 |
| 2013 | 12,589 | 3,882 | 30.8% | 1,198 |
| 2012 | 11,529 | 3,756 | 32.6% | 1,217 |
| 2011 | 11,578 | 3,864 | 33.4% | 1,207 |
| 2010 | 10,328 | 3,913 | 37.9% | 1,212 |
| 2009 | 11,170 | 3,662 | 32.8% | 1,193 |
| 2008 | 12,941 | 3,612 | 27.9% | 1,205 |
| 2007 | 12,155 | 3,882 | 31.9% | 1,166 |
| 2006 | 10,689 | 4,182 | 39.1% | 1,217 |
| 2005 | 10,501 | 4,340 | 41.3% | 1,223 |
| 2004 | 9,847 | 3,749 | 38.1% | 1,055 |
| 2003 | 9,087 | 3,678 | 40.5% | 1,125 |
| 2002 | 8,272 | 3,672 | 44.4% | 1,145 |
| 2001 | 8,037 | 3,851 | 47.9% | 1,112 |
Applications and offers
Acceptance rate for women and men
| Fall 2024 | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 9,834 | 2,736 | 27.8% |
| Men | 10,556 | 2,551 | 24.2% |
SAT, ACT and test policy
- Test scores in admission
- Considered if submitted (test-optional)
- SAT reading and writing
- 680 to 730 (middle 50% of enrolled students)
- SAT math
- 690 to 770
- ACT composite
- 31 to 34
Colleges similar to Lehigh
The six private nonprofit four-year colleges closest to Lehigh in acceptance rate and undergraduate enrollment.
| College | Acceptance rate | Avg net price | Earnings after 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC | 22% | $28,165 | $104,443 |
| Trinity University San Antonio, TX | 26% | $22,962 | $79,620 |
| Villanova Villanova, PA | 27% | $41,536 | $115,382 |
| Smith College Northampton, MA | 21% | $25,519 | $69,936 |
| Mississippi Christian University Clinton, MS | 29% | $21,034 | $54,122 |
| Wesleyan University Middletown, CT | 16% | $23,014 | $86,811 |
Admissions counts are first-time, first-year applicants reported by Lehigh to IPEDS for each fall term (2001 to 2024), read from the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Test score ranges and policy come from the College Scorecard. College Scorecard data updated November 2, 2026. How these figures are built · Lehigh on College Scorecard