Lehigh University Acceptance Rate
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 18,415
- Admitted
- 5,389
- Yield
- 28.4%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Lehigh University's acceptance rate has fallen from 34.3% in 2014–15 to 29.3% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 11,512 to 18,415 (+60%) over that period.
Its 29.3% rate makes Lehigh University more selective than about 93% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 108 tracked Pennsylvania schools, it is more selective than about 94%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (30.9% for women vs 27.6% for men, a 3.3-point gap). Lehigh University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 28.4% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 11,512 | 3,945 | 34.3% | 1,299 |
| 2015–16 | 12,843 | 3,905 | 30.4% | 1,261 |
| 2016–17 | 13,403 | 3,499 | 26.1% | 1,249 |
| 2017–18 | 13,871 | 3,489 | 25.2% | 1,234 |
| 2018–19 | 15,622 | 3,488 | 22.3% | 1,275 |
| 2019–20 | 15,649 | 5,023 | 32.1% | 1,406 |
| 2020–21 | 12,389 | 6,138 | 49.5% | 1,370 |
| 2021–22 | 14,107 | 6,485 | 46% | 1,519 |
| 2022–23 | 15,163 | 5,607 | 37% | 1,511 |
| 2023–24 | 18,415 | 5,389 | 29.3% | 1,531 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 9,222 | 2,853 | 30.9% |
| Men | 9,193 | 2,536 | 27.6% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 670–730 | 33% |
| SAT Math | 680–760 | |
| ACT Composite | 31–33 | 10% |
How Lehigh University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Lehigh University's acceptance rate?
Lehigh University's acceptance rate is 29.3% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (5,389 admitted of 18,415 applicants).
Is Lehigh University test optional?
Lehigh University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Lehigh University?
Lehigh University received 18,415 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 5,389.
What SAT score do you need for Lehigh University?
Admitted students at Lehigh University typically scored 670–730 on SAT Reading/Writing and 680–760 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Lehigh University getting harder to get into?
Lehigh University has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 34.3% in 2014–15 to 29.3% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.lehigh.edu/.