If you’re curious about what the Lehigh Acceptance Rate is, the article presents a detailed guide on the Lehigh University of Pennsylvania admission exercise.
The Lehigh University of Pennsylvania is a reputable institution ranked among the top 50 schools. The school is situated in Bethlehem and accommodates around 5,400 undergraduate students, the majority of whom are enrolled in esteemed programs such as engineering, business, biology, and computer science.
Regarding its admissions process, Lehigh possesses a unique characteristic with fluctuating selectivity metrics and a non-linear trajectory for its acceptance rate.
Unlike many similar private, selective, and STEM-focused universities that have experienced a steady decline in acceptance rates over time, Lehigh’s acceptance rate has shown variations, akin to the bouncing of a Superball, as illustrated below.
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Lehigh University Acceptance Rates
- 2010: 38%
- 2018: 22%
- 2020: 50%
- 2022: 36%
Lehigh University’s Overall Acceptance Rate – Class of 2025
For the Class of 2026, Lehigh University received a total of 15,161 applications and offered admission to 5,507 applicants. This resulted in an acceptance rate of 36%, which is lower compared to the previous year’s rate of 46%.
Lehigh University Early Decision Acceptance Rate
Lehigh University follows a two-round Early Decision (ED) process. The ED I deadline is on November 1, and the ED II deadline is on January 1. In the case of the Class of 2025, there were 1,084 students who applied via binding ED, and out of those, 763 applicants were accepted. This leads to an Early Decision acceptance rate of 70%.
Lehigh University Admissions – SAT, ACT, and Class Rank
In the 2021-22 academic year, the majority of incoming freshmen at the university were ranked in the top 10% of their high school class, specifically 57% of them. Additionally, a substantial 86% of the incoming freshmen were placed in the top quartile.
For the enrolled members of the Class of 2025, the mid-50% SAT composite score fell within the range of 1340 to 1460. On the other hand, the mid-50% ACT range for the same group was between 31 and 35.
Regarding the admitted students to the Class of 2025 (different from those who eventually enrolled), their mid-50% scores on the SAT were in the range of 1380 to 1500, while their ACT scores fell between 32 and 34.
Admissions Trends & Notes Class of 2026
- Lehigh University will not require test scores as part of one’s application through the 2023-24 academic year.
- 48% of Class of 2026 applicants opted not to include SAT/ACT results, down from 58% the previous cycle.
- Lehigh experienced a 7% rise in applications from the previous year.
- The average GPA for entering students over the past three cycles is 3.66.
- 38% of admitted students were from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
- International students made up 19% of the applicant pool, a 4% rise from the previous year.
- The university admitted more women than men into the Class of 2026 in an attempt to increase diversity in the STEM fields.
Who Gets Into Lehigh University?
In terms of geographical diversity, the current undergraduate student body at Lehigh University, specifically the Class of 2025, represents a wide range of locations. The students come from various regions and states across the United States, creating a diverse and vibrant community on campus.
- Students represent 43 states.
- They come from 28 countries around the world.
As with any selective university, the competition is most intense among applicants from highly populated states, particularly the entire Northeast and West Coast, which consistently produce numerous well-qualified candidates. In contrast, students from less densely populated states like Idaho, Wyoming, or Alaska may have a relative advantage in the admissions process due to the smaller pool of applicants from these regions.
The top home states of current undergrads are:
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- New York
- California
- Massachusetts
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of current undergrads was as follows:
- Asian American: 9%
- Hispanic: 10%
- African American: 5%
- White: 61%
- Two or more races: 4%
The breakdown by gender of all current undergraduates is notably split in favor of women:
- Male: 54%
- Female: 46%
The school does accept women at a higher clip than men–51% versus 41% for the Class of 2025.
International students make up 8% of the undergraduate population at Lehigh. The greatest number of students hail from the following countries:
- China
- India
- South Korea
- Iran
Yield Rate
Last year, Lehigh University had a yield rate of 23%, which represents the percentage of accepted students who chose to enroll out of the total number of admitted students. This relatively low figure can be attributed, in part, to the university competing for the same pool of students as other elite institutions in the Northeast.
For comparison, other private institutions have the following yield rates: Lafayette University with 21%, Cornell University with 60%, and Case Western with 16%. These figures demonstrate the varying levels of appeal and competitiveness among these institutions in terms of attracting admitted students to enroll.
How Lehigh University Rates Applicants
In Lehigh University’s admissions process, two factors are labeled as “very important”: the rigor of the applicant’s secondary school record and their GPA. Additionally, the university considers ten other factors as “important” in evaluating candidates:
- Class rank
- The application essay
- Recommendations
- Standardized test scores
- Talent/ability
- Extracurricular activities
- Character/personal qualities
- Racial/ethnic status
- Volunteer work
- Level of an applicant’s interest in the university
These factors play a significant role in the evaluation of applicants and contribute to shaping a well-rounded and diverse student body at Lehigh University.
Straight from the Lehigh University admissions staff:
- “Authenticity is the key to submitting an application that stands out. Focus less on fitting in a box and more on sharing who you are.”
- “We also take into consideration the influence of the environments in which a student lives and learns has on the individual—noted in the school profile, student’s personal background and more.”
- “Our holistic review recognizes the individual’s characteristics and achievements—which can be found in the school transcript, recommendations, essays, extracurricular accomplishments, leadership experiences, and other factors which might be unique to the applicant. We also take into consideration the influence of the environments in which a student lives and learns has on the individual—noted in the school profile, student’s personal background and more.”
Additional Tips for Applying to Lehigh University
Should you end up as one of the 15,000+ Lehigh applicants in the next admissions cycle, you will benefit from being aware of the following:
- All applicants are required to apply directly into one of four undergraduate colleges on the application for admission. First-year applicants are encouraged to select an alternate major as well.
- Lehigh offers optional evaluative interviews.
- More than most schools, Lehigh University views “demonstrated interest” as being important in the admissions process. Therefore, you will be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit (in non-pandemic times), contacted an admissions officer, follow them on social media, etc.
- Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the optional supplemental essay required by Lehigh. In the 2021-22 cycle, students are required to respond to three prompts. They are as follows:
Should I Apply to Lehigh University?
As previously discussed, if you find yourself on the borderline of meeting Lehigh’s admissions criteria, it is highly recommended to give serious consideration to applying through the early decision process. Applying early decisions can provide an advantage in the admissions process.
However, if you choose to apply in the regular round and your academic statistics do not stand out significantly, it is crucial to have a solid backup plan in place. Having alternative options and backup choices will ensure that you have multiple pathways to pursue higher education in case your application to Lehigh does not result in acceptance.
