Business/Commerce at Lehigh University

Lehigh is a highly selective business program (29% admission rate, SAT averaging 1432), yet comparable programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $45,781—slightly below the national median of $47,506. That's striking given the school's competitive admissions profile. Several less selective Pennsylvania schools report significantly higher outcomes: Albright College graduates earn $56,932, and Strayer University-Pennsylvania shows $55,431.

The estimated debt load of $26,543 produces a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is reasonable for a bachelor's degree. However, this calculation assumes earnings that peer programs indicate may not match what Lehigh's selectivity would suggest. The modest financial aid picture—only 18% of students receive Pell grants—means most families are paying closer to full freight at a private university, which likely exceeds what these debt estimates capture.

For a parent considering Lehigh's business program, the central question is whether the Lehigh brand and network justify potential costs that appear misaligned with typical Pennsylvania business outcomes. Without actual graduate data from this specific program, you're betting that Lehigh's prestige produces better results than these state-level estimates suggest. That may prove true, but current data offers little evidence either way.