Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Lehigh University

Lehigh's electrical engineering program produces graduates earning $79,119 in their first year—solid by national standards but landing squarely in the middle of Pennsylvania's competitive landscape. While the program beats the national median slightly, it trails the state median of $80,512 and sits in just the 40th percentile among PA schools. That positioning matters: if you're paying private tuition rates (Lehigh's acceptance rate is 29%), you might expect stronger placement than what nearby public options like Pitt deliver at $76,853.

The debt picture provides some relief, with graduates carrying $22,754—notably less than both state and national averages. That 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, giving graduates breathing room early in their careers. Earnings growth to $96,912 by year four shows the degree retains value over time, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year.

For families weighing Lehigh against Pennsylvania alternatives, this comes down to total cost of attendance. The program delivers competent outcomes without the premium you'd see at Carnegie Mellon or even Villanova. If net price after aid approaches what you'd pay at a state school, the mid-tier earnings become harder to justify. If substantial merit aid brings costs down, the lower debt and solid growth trajectory make more sense.