Bethlehem, PA · Private University
Is Lehigh University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$105,584
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$62,180
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$62,180
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$248,720
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.70x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
89.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,960
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$33,549
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Lehigh University graduates earn $60,584 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Lehigh University ranked by graduate earnings
151 graduates
85 graduates
19 graduates
34 graduates
45 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Lehigh University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Lehigh University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Finance and Financial Management Services: $107,260) and the lowest (Journalism: $45,256) is $62,004/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management ServicesBest ROI | $107,260 | 1.7x |
| Computer Science | $106,799 | 1.7x |
| Computer Engineering | $102,472 | 1.6x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $101,741 | 1.6x |
| Industrial Engineering | $99,291 | 1.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $96,912 | 1.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $95,363 | 1.5x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $94,982 | 1.5x |
| Chemical Engineering | $93,093 | 1.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $88,912 | 1.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $86,039 | 1.4x |
| Marketing | $85,576 | 1.4x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $84,975 | 1.4x |
| Civil Engineering | $81,375 | 1.3x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $78,295 | 1.3x |
| Political Science and Government | $75,918 | 1.2x |
| Materials Engineering(1yr data) | $74,971 | 1.2x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $74,038 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $60,072 | 1.0x |
| Biology, General | $52,512 | 0.8x |
| JournalismLowest(1yr data) | $45,256 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lehigh University | 1.70x | $105,584 | Good ROI |
| Villanova University | 1.55x | $100,423 | Good ROI |
| Bucknell University | 1.45x | $93,807 | Average ROI |
| Lafayette College | 1.46x | $91,410 | Average ROI |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | 1.78x | $108,772 | Good ROI |
| Boston College | 1.54x | $103,937 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Lehigh University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $105,584 10 years after starting — $60,584 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.5 years — faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to Lehigh University?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.