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Mechanical Engineering at Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,479/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #241 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $954K $904K $763K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.6x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 58

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
$24,950
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$101,225
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $75,479/yr, edging above the $70,527 national average for Mechanical Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 3.6x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $24,950 in median debt against $75,479 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #241 out of 320 programs, Lehigh University's financial outcomes for Mechanical Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $75,479 to $101,225 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Lehigh University

Lehigh University admits 29% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, 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
Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 320 schools offering Mechanical Engineering →

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

California State University Maritime Academy ($92,315) Duke University ($89,938) University of California-Berkeley ($88,497) Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($87,590) Cornell University ($85,440) Princeton University ($85,328) University of Notre Dame ($84,999) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($83,957)

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 Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 61/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Lehigh University trails the majority of Mechanical Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Mechanical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Mechanical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 53% 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 →