Statistics at Lehigh University

The estimated $93,111 first-year earnings from comparable Pennsylvania statistics programs would put Lehigh graduates near the top of their field—matching the state median and substantially ahead of the $59,718 national benchmark. Combined with relatively modest estimated debt of $16,875, this creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.18, meaning graduates could theoretically clear their loans in under three months of work. That's a fundamentally sound financial equation for a STEM degree.

What's important to understand is that these figures come from peer programs, not Lehigh's actual outcomes. The DOE suppresses earnings and debt data when too few graduates exist to protect privacy, which happens frequently with specialized majors at smaller schools. However, the Pennsylvania statistics market appears strong across the board—three comparable programs suggest six-figure or near-six-figure starting salaries. Given Lehigh's selectivity (29% admission rate, 1432 average SAT), its graduates would likely compete well for the analytics, finance, and tech positions driving these numbers.

The reality check: you're making this decision with limited visibility into Lehigh-specific outcomes. If similar selective programs in Pennsylvania produce these earnings with manageable debt, that's reassuring. But reach out to Lehigh's career services for placement data specific to their statistics graduates—ask where students land jobs and in what roles. The estimated numbers suggest a strong investment, but you deserve actual outcomes before committing.