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Journalism at Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,256/yr (31% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (64% exposed)
Job Market Large (50,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #83 of 178 Journalism programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $507K $505K $470K
Earnings Multiple 2.0x 2.0x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 46% 31%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 28

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
$19,500
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Lehigh University Journalism graduates command $45,256/yr out of the gate, well above the $34,417 national median. That 31% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

An earnings multiple of 2.0x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 64% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,500 in median debt clears quickly against $45,256 in annual earnings.

Ranked #83 out of 178 programs, Lehigh University's Journalism offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About Lehigh University

Admission to Lehigh University is competitive, with 29% of applicants accepted, 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

Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr
Editors $75,260/yr
Writers and authors $72,270/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 178 schools offering Journalism →

Journalism at Other Schools

George Washington University ($52,015) Northeastern University ($51,855) Northwestern University ($50,426) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($48,637) University of Maryland-College Park ($46,893) Brigham Young University ($46,652) University of Southern California ($44,651) American University ($44,387)

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) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($79,119) Accounting and Related Services ($77,026)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lehigh University's Journalism program score?
This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Journalism. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Journalism to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Journalism careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 64% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →