About CUNY Lehman College
CUNY Lehman College serves as the Bronx's full public liberal arts institution with 10,438 students. The college has built a reputation for providing quality education to working-class families and first-generation college students in one of New York's most diverse boroughs. With a 55% acceptance rate, Lehman offers accessible higher education while maintaining academic standards. The campus draws heavily from the local community, with 88% of students coming from in-state.
The financial picture makes Lehman particularly attractive for students seeking affordable education. The average net price of $3,482 represents strong value, especially for families earning under $30,000 who pay just $2,047 annually. Graduates earn a median of $58,013 ten years after graduation, while carrying manageable debt loads of $10,950. Monthly loan payments average only $116, making this degree financially sustainable for most graduates.
Lehman's student body reflects the Bronx's rich diversity, with 57% Hispanic and 27% Black students creating a predominantly Latino campus culture. Women make up 65% of enrollment, typical for liberal arts institutions. The Lightning compete in 14 NCAA Division III sports with 197 total athletes. With 61% of students receiving Pell Grants, Lehman truly serves as an engine of economic mobility for working families.
The financial picture makes Lehman particularly attractive for students seeking affordable education. The average net price of $3,482 represents strong value, especially for families earning under $30,000 who pay just $2,047 annually. Graduates earn a median of $58,013 ten years after graduation, while carrying manageable debt loads of $10,950. Monthly loan payments average only $116, making this degree financially sustainable for most graduates.
Lehman's student body reflects the Bronx's rich diversity, with 57% Hispanic and 27% Black students creating a predominantly Latino campus culture. Women make up 65% of enrollment, typical for liberal arts institutions. The Lightning compete in 14 NCAA Division III sports with 197 total athletes. With 61% of students receiving Pell Grants, Lehman truly serves as an engine of economic mobility for working families.
Academics & Faculty
Lehman College operates as a public liberal arts institution within the CUNY system, offering students broad academic exposure across disciplines rather than narrow specialization. The college is particularly recognized for its strong nursing, education, and social work programs that prepare students for careers serving urban communities. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, classes remain small enough for meaningful interaction with professors. However, the 49% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many students face balancing academics with work and family responsibilities common among commuter populations. The college serves as an affordable pathway to professional careers, with 87% of students coming from within New York state seeking practical degrees.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 41.6%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 51.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 49.3%
- Retention Rate
- 73.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,013
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $107,758 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $104,935 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $95,348 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $72,325 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $70,277 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $69,338 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $67,273 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $66,318 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $59,124 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $58,943 |
Campus Life
The Lehman College campus sits on 37 acres in the northwest Bronx, about 30 minutes by subway from Manhattan. Students face New York winters that require heavy coats from December through March, with summer temperatures reaching the 80s. The student body of 10,438 is overwhelmingly commuter-based, with most students living off-campus and traveling from across the Bronx and nearby areas. Women make up 65% of enrollment, and the campus reflects the borough's diversity with 57% Hispanic and 27% Black students.
Weekend life centers around the Bronx rather than traditional campus activities. Students often head to nearby attractions like the Bronx Zoo, Yankee Stadium, or take the train to Manhattan's museums and neighborhoods. The Lightning compete in 14 Division III sports with 197 total athletes, though games draw modest crowds. With 88% of students from New York State and an average net price of just $3,482, Lehman serves as an affordable pathway to a four-year degree for working-class families throughout the city.
Weekend life centers around the Bronx rather than traditional campus activities. Students often head to nearby attractions like the Bronx Zoo, Yankee Stadium, or take the train to Manhattan's museums and neighborhoods. The Lightning compete in 14 Division III sports with 197 total athletes, though games draw modest crowds. With 88% of students from New York State and an average net price of just $3,482, Lehman serves as an affordable pathway to a four-year degree for working-class families throughout the city.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
11 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Aggravated Assault | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fondling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 27°–39°F
- July Avg
- 70°–86°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 49.9"
- Annual Snowfall
- 29.8"
Student Demographics
Lehman College draws overwhelmingly from the local Bronx community, with nearly nine out of ten students from New York state. The student body is predominantly Hispanic and Black, reflecting the diverse neighborhoods surrounding the campus. Women outnumber men by nearly two to one, a pattern common at liberal arts colleges that emphasize education, health sciences, and social work programs. With over half of students receiving Pell Grants, Lehman serves as an affordable pathway to higher education for working-class families throughout the borough.
- Men
- 34.9%
- Women
- 65.1%
- White
- 4.2%
- Black
- 26.8%
- Hispanic
- 56.8%
- Asian
- 6.8%
- In-State Students
- 87.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 60.5%
Location
The Bronx campus sits in New York City's northernmost borough, home to 10,438 students in one of the nation's largest urban centers. With 87.94% of students coming from in-state, most already know the city's rhythms and opportunities. The college serves a diverse community where 56.81% of students are Hispanic and 26.83% are Black, reflecting the Bronx's multicultural character. Students have direct access to Manhattan's internships and cultural attractions via subway connections. The urban setting means no traditional college town atmosphere, but plenty of real-world experience opportunities. Monthly loan payments average just $116, making city living more manageable for graduates. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare CUNY Lehman College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Bronx, New York 10468
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,013
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $63,847
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $36,700
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 50.9%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $116/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $10,950
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at CUNY Lehman College?
CUNY Lehman College admits 55.31% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a public college. The school attracts students who value accessible higher education with strong programs in nursing, education, and social work.
How much does CUNY Lehman College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $3,482 annually, with 60.53% receiving financial aid. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $2,047 per year, reflecting CUNY's mission to serve working-class Bronx families.
What is the student-faculty ratio at CUNY Lehman College?
The student-faculty ratio is 15:1 among the college's 10,438 students. Lehman is known for professors who balance research with teaching, particularly in its respected health sciences and education programs.
What are the graduation outcomes at CUNY Lehman College?
The six-year graduation rate is 49.30%, while graduates earn a median salary of $58,013 ten years after enrollment. Many students work while attending school, which extends time to degree but leads to strong career outcomes in healthcare, education, and social services.
Where is CUNY Lehman College located and what is campus life like?
The campus sits in the northwest Bronx with 65.10% women and a predominantly Hispanic student body at 56.81%. Students commute from across the Bronx and Manhattan, creating a diverse community focused more on academics and career preparation than traditional college social life.
Does CUNY Lehman College offer athletic scholarships?
The Lightning compete in NCAA Division III with 14 varsity sports and 197 total athletes, but offer $0 in athletic scholarships. Student-athletes balance academics with competition in the City University of New York Athletic Conference, emphasizing the scholar-athlete ideal.
