Lehigh University admits approximately 29.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places Lehigh in the Selective admission tier, with significantly more competitive standards than typical four-year institutions. The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the substantial difference between Lehigh's selectivity and most private nonprofit universities of similar size and focus. While not among the most elite institutions with single-digit acceptance rates, Lehigh's admission standards represent meaningful competition for spaces. Students should expect thorough evaluation of academic credentials, with particular emphasis on quantitative and technical preparation given the institution's strength in business and engineering programs. The 29% acceptance rate means that even well-qualified students face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process. Building a comprehensive college list that includes institutions with higher acceptance rates alongside Lehigh represents sound application strategy. Students should treat Lehigh as a selective choice where strong academic preparation, particularly in mathematics and science coursework, supports competitive applications. The combination of selective admission with exceptional post-graduation earnings creates intense competition among high-achieving students seeking strong return on educational investment.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students typically demonstrate strong academic preparation across standardized testing and coursework rigor. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1350 at the 25th percentile to 1490 at the 75th percentile, with a median of 1432. This means most admitted students score between 1350 and 1490, though students outside this range are admitted in smaller numbers. SAT Math scores span 680–760, while SAT Verbal scores range 670–730, indicating balanced strength across quantitative and verbal reasoning. ACT scores range from 31 to 33, with a median of 32, reflecting similar high achievement on alternative testing formats. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1256, Lehigh enrolls students scoring 176 points higher on average, demonstrating substantially more rigorous academic selectivity. The peer comparison shows that Lehigh's academic standards exceed those of most similar private nonprofit institutions by meaningful margins. Students scoring below 1350 SAT or 31 ACT should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded from consideration. Those whose scores fall within the middle 50% ranges represent academically competitive candidates, though admission depends on multiple factors beyond test performance. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college application strategy, recognizing that Lehigh's post-graduation outcomes attract students with exceptional academic preparation.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Lehigh enrolls a student body that reflects both academic selectivity and moderate socioeconomic diversity within private higher education norms. The institution enrolls 17.8% Pell-eligible students, indicating students from lower-income families, alongside 16.9% first-generation students who are first in their families to attend college. Transfer students comprise just 3.0% of enrollment, indicating limited pathways for students seeking to transfer from other institutions. This student composition suggests admission processes that balance academic merit with some consideration for socioeconomic diversity, though at levels typical for selective private institutions rather than public universities with broader access missions. The relatively modest Pell and first-generation shares reflect both the institution's tuition levels and competitive academic standards that may create barriers for some student populations. Students from these backgrounds should understand they will find community among peers with similar experiences, though they will represent minority populations within the broader student body. The low transfer admission rate indicates students seeking this pathway should expect extremely limited opportunities. Geographic diversity likely extends beyond Pennsylvania given the institution's national reputation, though specific data on state and regional representation varies by admissions cycle and institutional priorities.
Given Lehigh's 29% acceptance rate and exceptional graduate earnings, most applicants face meaningful admission uncertainty. Smart students should build balanced college lists that include institutions with comparable outcomes but different selectivity profiles.
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Students who gain admission to Lehigh demonstrate strong persistence and completion outcomes that reflect both institutional support and incoming student preparation. 92.7% of freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.1%, indicating above-average freshman satisfaction and academic support. The graduation rate reaches 89.2%, substantially higher than peer institutions, demonstrating Lehigh's effectiveness in supporting students through degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at 84.3%, creating a 4.9 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This gap indicates some additional challenges for lower-income students, though the 84.3% Pell completion rate remains strong in absolute terms. The modest completion gap suggests institutional support systems help lower-income students navigate financial and academic challenges, though not entirely eliminating differential outcomes. Students who gain admission should expect strong institutional support for degree completion, with retention and graduation rates that exceed most peer institutions. Lower-income students can anticipate some additional challenges but should find completion rates that support degree attainment goals. Prospective students should view these metrics as indicators of the academic environment and support systems they will experience, recognizing that admission to Lehigh typically leads to successful degree completion across different student backgrounds.
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