Lehigh University

For Fall 2025, 19,342 first-year students applied to Lehigh, 5,601 were admitted and 1,535 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 29%.

Source: Lehigh University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.

By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025

Source: Lehigh University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.

By school or major. Lehigh's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by college or major.

Source: Lehigh University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Early decision. Early decision counts for the Fall 2025 entering class, as the Common Data Set reports them, with both early decision rounds counted together. They are part of the totals above. Lehigh has no early action plan.

Early decision, Fall 2025

Source: Lehigh University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.

For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027

One combined-degree program has its own supplement and deadline:

• 7-year BA/DMD Bio-Dental program. Part of Penn's Accelerated Dental program. The Penn Supplement is required, due January 1, and you choose the 7-Year Combined-Degree Program in Dentistry on the Common Application. It is not an early decision commitment, and you cannot apply early decision at the same time. If not accepted into the program, you may ask to be considered for another college. Decisions come in early April.

Source: Lehigh Admissions, Admissions Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

72 majors across 5 schools. Every undergraduate major and cross-disciplinary program in Lehigh's official 2026-27 Catalog, grouped by the college whose section lists it. The catalog's list does not name degree types. Minors, certificates and graduate programs are left out.

For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027

You apply through the Common Application or the Coalition Application with Scoir, with a $75 fee. Lehigh considers early decision I and II applicants for admission and merit scholarships in the same way. It has no early action plan.

Source: Lehigh Admissions, How to Apply to Lehigh University (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Both early decision rounds are binding: you sign the Early Decision Agreement Form and, if admitted, withdraw all other applications and enroll.

Source: Lehigh Admissions, Admissions Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027

Lehigh is test-optional and has extended the policy indefinitely: you choose whether to send SAT or ACT scores. If you send scores from several test dates, Lehigh superscores them, and it has no preference between the two tests. You may self-report scores, but if you enroll, official scores must arrive before your first day of classes.

Source: Lehigh Admissions, How to Apply to Lehigh University (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted, with scores due by January 1.

Source: Lehigh University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.

For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028

Not announced yet. When we checked Lehigh's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.

Source: Lehigh Admissions, How to Apply to Lehigh University (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

The published cost of a year at Lehigh, 2026-2027:

For a first-year student living on campus. Lehigh's own total of $89,820 covers tuition, housing, food and fees; it adds $1,000 for books and $1,500 for personal expenses when it sets the cost of attendance for aid. Students in some programs and majors pay an added $870 fee. Lehigh does not include transportation.

Source: Lehigh Office of Financial Aid, Undergraduate: 2026-2027 Tuition and Costs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:

What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from Lehigh's aid offer.

Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Chosen for how close each is to Lehigh University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.

• Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA · Private28.1% admitted$43,756 average net price
• Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA · Private32.2% admitted$40,766 average net price
• Skidmore CollegeSaratoga Springs, NY · Private23.8% admitted$32,297 average net price
• Macalester CollegeSaint Paul, MN · Private28.1% admitted$32,149 average net price
• Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH · Private35.3% admitted$41,190 average net price

Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.