Lehigh University 2025 Admission Statistics

Lehigh University Admission Guide — Class of 2030 (Applying 2025‑26)

“Lehigh students build bridges—sometimes literally—between engineering, business, and the liberal arts.” — Lehigh admission dean, April 2025

Why read this?

You are a high‑school junior aiming to submit applications in the 2025‑26 cycle.
Lehigh’s freshly minted 2024‑25 Common Data Set unlocks the latest admit rates, GPA bands, and cost figures. Instead of parsing PDFs, use this narrative cheat‑sheet—no tables, no fluff—to benchmark your profile, nail every deadline, and craft an application that feels unmistakably Mountain Hawk.

The Admission Landscape — Numbers in Plain English

• ** About 18 000 applications** last cycle; 6 200 offers; overall admit rate near 34 %.
• Binding Early Decision (ED I Nov 15 / ED II Jan 1) filled 55 % of the class with an admit rate about ten points higher than Regular Decision.
• Seats are scarce. Only ** 1 300 freshmen** enroll each year, pushing yield above 40 %.
• Wait‑list reality. Thousands accept a WL spot; only a small handful receive an offer—plan as if wait‑list = no.
• Persistence. First‑year retention hovers at 94 %; six‑year graduation around 89 %.

Academic Profile of the 2024‑25 Admitted Class

• Testing optional but helpful if strong.
  • SAT middle range 1370‑1500; ACT 30‑34.
  • Submit only if you clear 1400/31 territory.
• GPA expectations. Re‑weighted on a 4.0 scale, the average admitted GPA sits around 3.8; four out of five admits rank in the top quartile.
• Course rigor reigns. AP/IB Calculus, lab sciences, and advanced humanities signal readiness.
• Holistic extras. Essays, recommendations, and impact‑driven extracurriculars sit in the “very important” bucket.

What Lehigh Values (and How to Show It)

• Interdisciplinary drive. Programs like IBE and IDEAS crave applicants who fuse STEM with design or entrepreneurship—show cross‑domain projects.
• Hands‑on impact. Whether you prototyped a microplastic filter or led a finance club managing real money, quantify results.
• Entrepreneurial mindset. Lehigh’s Baker Institute loves founders; highlight ventures, patents, or pitch‑competition wins.
• Community engagement. Essays that connect Bethlehem’s industrial past to your service work in steel‑towns elsewhere can resonate.
• Authentic voice. Humor and humility beat big words; let recommenders echo the same narrative.

The Money Question

• Projected sticker (2025‑26): tuition ~$63 000, fees ~$750, housing + meals ~$18 000 → ≈ $82 000.
• Full‑need met. Lehigh covers 100 % of demonstrated need for all admits; average first‑year grant ~$48 000.
• Merit scholarships exist but limited. Lehigh Merit Award and Cutler‑Sametz Choral Arts range from $5 K to full tuition—no separate app.
• Aid deadlines: CSS Profile + FAFSA by Nov 15 (ED I) or Feb 1 2026 (ED II/RD).
• Financial‑fit tip: Run the Net Price Calculator before locking in Early Decision.

Anticipated Timeline for Class of 2030

Spring  2025

• Finalize senior schedule with AP Calc, AP/IB science, and an advanced elective.
• Register for August SAT/ACT only if trending above 1400/31.

Summer  2025

• Draft Common App essay and the 150‑word “Why Lehigh?” supplement—name specific labs, institutes, or traditions.
• Deepen one “spike” project; gather metrics (users, dollars raised, papers submitted).

Early Fall  2025

• Visit campus or join a virtual info session; log demonstrated interest.
• Nov  15  2025 — ED I app + aid forms due.

Winter  2026

• Jan  1  2026 — ED II / Regular Decision deadline.
• Last test scores must reach Lehigh by Jan  15.

Spring  2026

• ED II decisions mid‑February; RD by late March.
• May  1  2026 — Enrollment deposit day.

Life on South Mountain

• 10 : 1 student‑faculty ratio; two‑thirds of classes under 30 students.
• Residential first year. 98 % of freshmen live on “The Hill”; themed housing options include Global Village and Humanities House.
• Greek life light. About one‑fifth of students join fraternities or sororities; housing is university‑owned.
• Traditions that pop. Bed Races down Memorial, Le‑Laf Rivalry Week, and the First‑Year Rally at Goodman Stadium.
• Bethlehem & beyond. Walkable South Side arts district, 90 minutes to NYC and Philly; internships at Air Products, Crayola, and regional venture firms.

How to Decide If Lehigh Fits

1. Do you crave project‑based learning that fuses engineering, business, and liberal arts?
2. Will a midsize research campus with Division I spirit keep you energized?
3. Could you leverage Bethlehem’s location for co‑ops and NYC/Philly internships?
4. Does meeting full need (but modest merit aid) align with your budget?

If you tick “yes” on at least three, Lehigh merits serious ED or RD consideration.

Quick‑Hit Checklist

• [ ] Maintain 3.8+ GPA with max rigor.
• [ ] Submit SAT ≥ 1400 or ACT ≥ 31 only if above mid‑range.
• [ ] Finish one measurable impact project by September.
• [ ] Reference Baker Institute, Mountaintop, or I‑E House in your supplement.
• [ ] Apply ED I Nov 15 or ED II / RD Jan 1 2026.
• [ ] File CSS Profile + FAFSA by Feb 1 2026 (or earlier for ED).
• [ ] Follow up with thank‑you emails after interviewer chat.

Final Word

Lehigh pairs hands‑on engineering with liberal‑arts agility and a campus culture where Mountain Hawks hustle hard—then race beds for fun. Admission is holistic but data‑driven: rigorous academics, a signature impact story, and essays that articulate why Lehigh (not just college) matter. Nail those, respect the timeline, and you could be ringing the Victory Bell on South Mountain next May.

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