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Materials Engineering at Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,971/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (37,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #32 of 33 Materials Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $761K $733K $650K
Earnings Multiple 3.1x 2.9x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 49%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 45

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
$26,324
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Lehigh University's Materials Engineering graduates start at $74,971/yr — above the $71,341 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Materials Engineering's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $26,324 in median debt clears quickly against $74,971 in annual earnings.

Ranked #32 of 33 Materials Engineering programs, Lehigh University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Materials engineers $108,310/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 33 schools offering Materials Engineering →

Materials Engineering at Other Schools

University of Florida ($79,200) Drexel University ($78,623) Michigan State University ($78,276) Purdue University-Main Campus ($78,265) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($77,646) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($76,662) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($76,488) University of Connecticut ($75,607)

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Materials Engineering at Lehigh University?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Materials Engineering. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Materials Engineering careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $649,924 in decade earnings vs $761,361 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →