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Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
58
Optimistic
57
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,440/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (19,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #77 of 119 Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $947K $907K $766K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.6x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 67% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 57 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$248,720
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$134,196
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$103,136
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $72,440 at Lehigh University come in 14% above the national median of $63,751 for Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs.

The 3.6x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $72,440 far exceeding the $26,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #77 out of 119 programs, Lehigh University's financial outcomes for Biomedical/Medical Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $72,440 to $103,136 shows 42% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Lehigh University

Lehigh University accepts 29% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a mid-sized student body of 5,803 in Bethlehem, PA. The average net cost of $134,196 over four years represents a 46% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Lehigh University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers $106,950/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 119 schools offering Biomedical/Medical Engineering →

Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($93,310) Rice University ($88,307) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($81,186) University of Southern California ($80,508) Wentworth Institute of Technology ($80,401) Case Western Reserve University ($78,815) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($78,283) University of the Pacific ($77,099)

Other Majors at Lehigh University

Computer Science ($88,587) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($83,356) Chemical Engineering ($82,435) Computer Engineering ($82,209) Business/Managerial Economics ($81,796) Industrial Engineering ($81,142) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($79,119) Accounting and Related Services ($77,026)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Biomedical/Medical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lehigh University's Biomedical/Medical Engineering program score?
A score of 57/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Lehigh University trails the majority of Biomedical/Medical Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Biomedical/Medical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Biomedical/Medical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →