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Electrical Engineering at Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
60
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,119/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #239 of 262 Electrical programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Electrical Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $916K $872K $729K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.5x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 60 56

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
$22,754
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$99,040
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $79,119/yr, roughly in line with the $77,516 national median for Electrical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 3.5x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 20% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $79,119 far exceeding the $22,754 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #239 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places Lehigh University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 25% earnings increase from $79,119 to $99,040 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Lehigh University

Lehigh University accepts 29% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, 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

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr
Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 262 schools offering Electrical Engineering →

Electrical Engineering at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($139,337) University of California-Berkeley ($137,295) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($117,345) Cornell University ($100,516) The University of Texas at Austin ($96,997) Rice University ($96,751) National University ($93,417) Northeastern University ($92,222)

Other Majors at Lehigh University

Computer Science ($88,587) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($83,356) Chemical Engineering ($82,435) Computer Engineering ($82,209) Business/Managerial Economics ($81,796) Industrial Engineering ($81,142) Accounting and Related Services ($77,026) Finance and Financial Management Services ($76,720)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Electrical Engineering 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 does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at Lehigh University?
At 60/100, the score looks reasonable — but Electrical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical Engineering at Lehigh University?
The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →