At $31,805/yr net price, Lesley University graduates earn $51,173/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,173/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $31,805 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $127,220 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,173/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,173/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,173/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $27,225/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $31,594/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $34,465/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,726/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, General. | Doctoral | $85,760 | $75,166 |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies. | Master | $53,358 | $42,279 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $53,298 | $32,257 |
| Education, Other. | Master | $51,690 | $34,166 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $50,606 | $18,292 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $49,855 | $28,059 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $46,869 | $34,401 |
| Education, General. | Master | $44,595 | $31,458 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $42,433 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $41,937 | $16,355 |
The Risk Factor
61.7% of students at Lesley University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Lesley University gives you a mixed-to-weak financial return, and the numbers make the reason clear. You pay close to $32,000 a year in net price, but median earnings ten years out sit around $51,000. That gap is the core problem: your cost is high for a school whose graduates mostly land in modestly paid fields.
The programs here point heavily toward education, and education pays what it pays. Teacher preparation degrees at Lesley land you in the high $30,000s to low $40,000s, and English and communications sit even lower, in the mid-to-high $30,000s. Business administration is the one bachelor's program that clears $50,000, and it also carries the lowest debt of the bunch. If you come here, business is the degree with the strongest payoff. The teaching and humanities tracks leave you earning less than the school's own median while paying the same tuition.
The specific risk is that Lesley is expensive to attend for careers that don't reward the expense. A 62% graduation rate means a real chance you leave without the degree but with the debt. Median debt of $21,000 is manageable on a business salary and heavy on a first-year teacher's.
The net price tiers should worry lower-income families most. Even under $30,000 of family income, you still pay over $26,000 a year, and the figure barely drops from the top tier. Lesley does not get dramatically cheaper if you have less money.
Lesley fits you if you want to teach in the Boston area, already plan on it, and treat the cost as the price of entering that field with open eyes. Look elsewhere if you need your degree to pay for itself quickly or if you're chasing English or media earnings that a cheaper school could match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lesley University worth the cost?
Lesley University's graduates earn a median of $51,173 ten years after graduation, which is relatively low given the $31,805 annual net price. The return on investment depends heavily on your program choice, with education majors earning significantly more than other fields.
What are the highest paying majors at Lesley University?
General Education graduates from Lesley earn the most at $85,760 annually, while other education specialties pay around $51,000-$53,000. Non-education programs like business and diversity studies typically result in lower salaries in the $50,000 range.
How much student debt do Lesley University graduates have?
Lesley University graduates have a median debt of $21,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with relatively modest post-graduation earnings, loan repayment may still be challenging for graduates in lower-paying programs.
Does Lesley University have good job outcomes?
Lesley has a 61.7% graduation rate and accepts 86% of applicants, suggesting less selective admissions. Job outcomes vary significantly by program, with education majors generally finding better employment prospects than graduates in other fields.