Hi Everyone – We are seeking some objective feedback. Our son has been accepted to Lehigh University’s Integrated Business and Engineering program as well as to SEAS at The University of Virginia. He is really torn between the two, as both programs have so much to offer. Lehigh’s program combines two disciplines and UVA is a straight engineering degree. Financial aid and geography not really being determining factors (quite similar distance and money-wise), what do you think? Thanks so much in advance – May 1st is coming very soon, and we are looking forward to buying sweatshirts! 
Any true interest in the business side? Are you prepared for a 5th year at Lehigh for accredited engineering degree?
Degrees have very similar long term economic value. Both highly respected. But I would suggest the UVA might be a little more fun with high end d1 sports etc
@Chardo – Thanks so much for replying! Good question about the engineering degree timeframe for Lehigh. There is an appeal in the melding of the two disciplines, as engineering skills are marketable but an added business background may help sweeten the deal a little for career opportunities later? We crunched some numbers and there’s a good chance (if nothing goes off the rails) that our son may be able to graduate with a dual IBE/engineering degree in 4 years, due to the AP credit Lehigh would accept. That’s a big “if”, though! And @privatebanker, - Yes! The call of Wahoo Nation is strong! Have heard nothing but good things about UVA engineering. Thanks for weighing in.
If there is real interest in combining the studies of business and engineering, then Lehigh IBE is tough to beat (except maybe by M&T at Penn or MET at Berkeley).
However, you have to really want that combination. It typically takes 4.5 or 5 years to get both an AACSB business degree and an ABET engineering degree through the IBE program, so there will be additional expense (unless you graduate in 4 years with the business degree alone). If your primary interest is engineering, you might as well stick to a 4-year straight engineering program (which, of course, you could do at a either school), possibly adding a business minor.
@Corbett, thanks for the insight! Based on the number of AP credits that he believes would apply at Lehigh, I think that dual bachelors in Engineering and business-awarded IBE degrees could be an option in 4 years but, then again, the rigor of IBE looks pretty demanding so not sure if that is realistic. The business degree alone with a background of engineering seems appealing though if my son intends to leverage it in a career that may be not be pure engineering and require a PE designation.