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Computer Science at Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
78
Optimistic
77
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $88,587/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 4.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #184 of 345 Computer Science programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,233K $1,165K $833K
Earnings Multiple 5.0x 4.7x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 77 70

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
$23,854
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$129,863
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $88,587 per year, Computer Science graduates from Lehigh University earn slightly above the $73,713 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 4.7x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

The 32% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 72% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Computer Science graduates.

The median debt load of $23,854 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #184 of 345 Computer Science programs, Lehigh University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $88,587 to $129,863 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Lehigh University

A 29% acceptance rate puts Lehigh University in competitive admissions territory, with a mid-sized student body of 5,803 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

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 345 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

California Institute of Technology ($173,344) Carnegie Mellon University ($171,264) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($154,492) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624)

Other Majors at Lehigh University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($83,356) Chemical Engineering ($82,435) Computer Engineering ($82,209) Business/Managerial Economics ($81,796) Industrial Engineering ($81,142) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($79,119) Accounting and Related Services ($77,026) Finance and Financial Management Services ($76,720)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Science at Lehigh University?
This program scores 77/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Computer Science programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Computer Science careers?
With 72% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $833,350 in decade earnings vs $1,232,793 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →