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Accounting and Related Services at Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $77,026/yr (43% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

ROI 4.1x earnings multiple

Ranked #185 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Accounting and Related Services graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$1,115K	$1,026K	$833K
Earnings Multiple	4.5x	4.1x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	76%	65%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	78	76	72

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$248,720

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$134,196

46% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,179

3.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$118,286

54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Lehigh University's Accounting and Related Services program earn $77,026/yr in their first year — 43% above the $53,724 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 4.1x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Accounting and Related Services's typical career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 25% gap from the optimistic case.

At $23,179 in median debt against $77,026 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #185 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs, Lehigh University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $118,286 show a 54% jump from the $77,026 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Lehigh University

Lehigh University admits 29% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving 5,803 students in Bethlehem, PA. The average net cost of $134,196 over four years represents a 46% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Lehigh University →

Top Career Paths

Financial managers $161,700/yr

Financial risk specialists $106,000/yr

Financial and investment analysts $101,350/yr

View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Accounting and Related Services at Other Schools

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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at Lehigh University?

This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Accounting and Related Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Accounting and Related Services careers?

With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $833,387 in decade earnings vs $1,114,546 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →