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Civil Engineering at Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,545/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (56,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #196 of 220 Civil Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $871K $830K $722K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.3x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 84% 75% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 56

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
$27,000
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$90,786
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $73,545/yr, edging above the $69,097 national average for Civil Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 3.3x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Civil Engineering's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

At $27,000 in median debt against $73,545 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #196 of 220 Civil Engineering programs, Lehigh University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $73,545 to $90,786 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Lehigh University

Lehigh University admits 29% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, 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
Petroleum engineers $141,280/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering →

Civil Engineering at Other Schools

Loyola Marymount University ($87,790) University of Southern California ($85,262) Santa Clara University ($84,883) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($80,673) Montana Technological University ($80,327) Cornell University ($80,261) Bucknell University ($80,231) University of California-Berkeley ($78,142)

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)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Civil Engineering at Lehigh University?
This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Civil Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Civil Engineering careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $721,879 in decade earnings vs $870,702 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →