Carnegie Mellon University vs Lehigh University: which has better ROI?
Carnegie Mellon University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $127,776 in 1.9 years versus 2.6 years at Lehigh University, on median earnings of $114,862 vs $105,584 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carnegie Mellon University | Lehigh University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,944 | $36,931 |
| Total net cost | $127,776 | $147,724 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $114,862 | $105,584 |
| Median debt | $21,750 | $21,960 |
| Payback | 1.9 yrs | 2.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,202,264 | $996,756 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carnegie Mellon University or Lehigh University?
Carnegie Mellon University, at $31,944 a year after aid versus $36,931 — a gap of $4,987 a year, or $19,948 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carnegie Mellon University or Lehigh University graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon University graduates report a median $114,862 ten years after entry, $9,278 more than the $105,584 at Lehigh University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Carnegie Mellon University or Lehigh University?
Carnegie Mellon University: its completers carry a median $21,750 in federal loans versus $21,960 at Lehigh University, a difference of $210. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
94% of students finish at Carnegie Mellon University, against 88% at Lehigh University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.