Chemical Engineering at Lehigh University

Lehigh's chemical engineering program produces strong outcomes, though the small sample size means individual circumstances can skew these numbers significantly. Starting at $82,435 puts graduates well above the national median of $73,000 and slightly ahead of Pennsylvania's median. While the program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, it sits at the 60th percentile within Pennsylvania—reflecting the state's competitive chemical engineering landscape where schools like Penn and Bucknell also produce high earners.

The debt picture is excellent: at $27,000, graduates carry only one-third of their first-year salary in debt, making those loan payments manageable even in expensive metropolitan areas where chemical engineers often work. The 13% earnings growth to $93,000 by year four suggests graduates are advancing into more specialized or senior roles rather than hitting early career ceilings.

The caveat matters here. With fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, a few students landing exceptional positions—or conversely, several pursuing graduate school—could substantially shift these medians. That said, Lehigh's established reputation in engineering (it's a selective school with strong industry connections in the Mid-Atlantic) suggests these aren't flukes. For a student serious about chemical engineering who's competitive for admission, this represents a financially sound choice with manageable debt and strong earning potential from day one.