Lehigh University Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Lehigh University Acceptance Rate

Lehigh University is one of the renowned universities in the USA. It is very competitive to get admission to. The acceptance rate of Lehigh University is 29.3%. This means that only 29 out of every 100 applicants are admitted.

Admissions Guidelines

• Strong Academics: A consistent record of A-level performance is expected.
• Score Validation: High SAT/ACT scores can help compensate for minor GPA fluctuations.
• Engagement: Admissions staff look for sustained commitment to 2–3 key extracurricular activities.

Selectivity at a Glance

Highly Competitive

Selectivity scale: Highly Competitive — 29.3% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

While academics are a primary focus, Lehigh University considers your entire profile. A well-crafted personal statement and strong interpersonal communication skills can significantly enhance your chances of moving forward in the selection process.

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.81 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.61 – 3.80

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 3.36

Secondary Reach

Requires Contextual Support

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

Lehigh University GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at Lehigh University is 3.81. This indicates extreme selectivity in admissions.

To have strong chances, you must aim for straight A's in all courses.

If your GPA is between 3.51 and 3.81, then you need a high SAT or ACT score to compensate.

Check Your Admission Chances at Lehigh University

Lehigh University Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into Lehigh University Without SAT or ACT?

Lehigh University Average SAT Score: 1432

The average SAT score of the admitted students at Lehigh University is 1432 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1432 — Very Competitive

This score makes it very Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do very well to score 1432 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1350, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Lehigh University. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 1350 then you are below most of the admitted students at Lehigh University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1490 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450

Can I get into Lehigh University with a 1500 SAT?

With a 1500 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Lehigh University are good but the admission staff at Lehigh University tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

Lehigh University ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at Lehigh University is 32.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 32 — Very Competitive

This score makes Lehigh University very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 32 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into Lehigh University with a 33 ACT?

A 33 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Lehigh University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Lehigh University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Lehigh University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Lehigh University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 33 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 32

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Lehigh University

Lehigh University Profile

Is a Lehigh University Degree Worth It?

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Lehigh University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Santa Clara University	Santa Clara, CA	1417	32
Colorado School of Mines	Golden, CO	1403	31
Connecticut College	New London, CT	1412	32
Trinity College	Hartford, CT	1396	32
American University	Washington, DC	1392	31
University of Florida	Gainesville, FL	1397	31
University of Miami	Coral Gables, FL	1416	32
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Champaign, IL	1418	32
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology	Terre Haute, IN	1389	32
Simpson College	Indianola, IA	1410	32

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lehigh University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
George Washington University	Washington, DC	1433	33
Babson College	Wellesley, MA	1435	32
Mount Holyoke College	South Hadley, MA	1422	32
Hillsdale College	Hillsdale, MI	1433	32
Macalester College	Saint Paul, MN	1424	32

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lehigh University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Northeastern University Oakland	Oakland, CA	1472	32
Scripps College	Claremont, CA	1480	33
University of Southern California	Los Angeles, CA	1501	34
Georgetown University	Washington, DC	1494	33
Emory University	Atlanta, GA	1507	33

Degree Programs at Lehigh University

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by Lehigh University →

Frequently Asked Questions About Lehigh University Admissions