At $3,482/yr net price, CUNY Lehman College graduates earn $58,013/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,013/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,482 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $13,928 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,013/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,013/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,950 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,047/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,756/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,516/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,173/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,803/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $107,758 | $22,052 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $104,935 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $95,348 | $13,341 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $72,325 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $70,277 | $20,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $69,338 | $38,404 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $67,273 | $25,000 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $66,318 | $41,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $59,124 | $25,825 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $58,943 | $26,164 |
The Risk Factor
49.3% of students at CUNY Lehman College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Lehman College is one of the cheapest four-year investments you can make in New York. At $3,482 a year, your net price sits well below what most public colleges charge, and median debt at graduation is under $11,000. That low cost is what carries the return here, because median earnings ten years out land around the mid-$50Ks, which is solid but not high for the New York City metro.
Your major decides everything. Nursing is the clear winner, paying roughly $95,000 a decade after graduation, nearly double what the accounting or information science graduates earn. Computer science comes in second and beats the school-wide median. Accounting and health administration sit at the bottom near $40,000, which barely clears entry-level wages in the Bronx. Picking one of those lower-paying majors here means you carry similar debt for a much weaker payoff, so the value gap between programs is large.
The real risk at Lehman is finishing. Fewer than half of students graduate, and about a quarter don't return after their first year. Your low debt only pays off if you earn the degree. leaving with loans and no credential is the worst outcome, and the odds of that here are real.
The net price tiers are gentle across the board. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $2,000 a year. Even at over $110,000, you pay under $11,000. There's no income level where Lehman becomes expensive.
Lehman fits you if you're staying in the New York area, want to keep debt near zero, and can commit to nursing or computer science. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to the lower-earning majors and expect a strong salary, or if you're unsure you'll finish, since the completion odds work against you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CUNY Lehman College worth the cost for most students?
Yes, Lehman College offers strong ROI with a net price of only $3,482 per year and median debt under $11,000. The low cost makes it worthwhile even with modest post-graduation earnings of $58,013.
What are the highest paying programs at CUNY Lehman College?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning over $95,000, while educational administration graduates earn around $105,000. Teaching programs pay significantly less at $70,000-$72,000 but still provide positive returns given the low tuition.
How much debt do CUNY Lehman College graduates typically have?
Median debt is just $10,950, which is manageable compared to most colleges. The low tuition and strong financial aid keep borrowing minimal for most students.
What are the risks of attending CUNY Lehman College?
The graduation rate is low at 49%, meaning half of students don't finish their degrees. However, those who do graduate face minimal debt risk due to the affordable tuition.