Students at Lesley University achieve earnings that exceed expectations compared with similar students at other institutions, reflecting the university's effectiveness in career preparation.
The combination of above-average earnings outcomes and excellent loan repayment patterns demonstrates that graduates successfully transition into stable employment despite the challenges of private college costs.
Lesley University is a small private nonprofit institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, known for its focus on education, psychology, and creative fields. With about 28% of students receiving Pell Grants and 29% being first-generation college students, Lesley provides meaningful access while maintaining the intimate campus experience typical of smaller private colleges.
Graduates earn a median of $51,173 ten years after enrollment, which places the university at the 60th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. While not among the highest-earning institutions, Lesley delivers earnings that exceed expectations by about $2,385 compared with similar colleges, suggesting the university adds meaningful value for its students. The university's strength lies in preparing students for careers in human services, education, psychology, and creative fields where financial rewards often extend beyond pure salary considerations.
As an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Lesley combines moderate access with focused career preparation. The university's 62% six-year graduation rate and strong loan repayment patterns indicate that most students successfully complete their programs and transition into stable employment, even if earnings potential varies significantly by field of study.
Lesley University's program portfolio reflects its mission-driven focus on education, human services, and creative fields. General Studies leads in both enrollment and aggregate economic impact with 75 graduates earning median salaries around $34,704, while Psychology represents the second-largest program with 69 graduates typically earning $27,536 in early career years. These programs feed into careers in counseling, education, and social services where advancement often comes through experience and additional credentialing.
Business Administration, though smaller with 40 graduates, delivers the strongest early-career earnings at $50,606, demonstrating that Lesley can prepare students for higher-paying fields when they choose those paths. Commercial Photography, with 67 graduates earning around $20,687 initially, reflects the creative economy's typical pattern where financial success builds gradually through portfolio development and client relationships.
The university's strength lies not in producing uniformly high earners, but in preparing students for meaningful careers aligned with their interests and values. Many graduates enter fields where job satisfaction, creative fulfillment, and social impact complement financial considerations, making traditional earnings metrics only part of the success story.
Lesley University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with a median income of $51,173 ten years after enrollment. More importantly, graduates earn about $2,385 more than expected compared with students at similar institutions, indicating that Lesley adds meaningful value beyond what the raw earnings numbers might suggest. This earnings advantage reflects the university's focused approach to career preparation and strong connections within specialized fields.
The university's program mix heavily influences earnings outcomes. Business Administration graduates, representing one of the smaller but higher-earning programs, see median earnings around $50,606 early in their careers. General Studies, the largest program with 75 graduates, produces median earnings of $34,704, while Psychology majors—the second-largest program with 69 graduates—earn around $27,536 in the early career years. Commercial Photography, with 67 graduates, shows the most modest early earnings at $20,687, reflecting the creative field's typical career trajectory where financial success often builds more gradually over time.
These earnings patterns reflect Lesley's mission-driven focus on education, human services, and creative fields where career satisfaction and social impact often complement financial considerations. While not all programs lead to high immediate salaries, the university's above-expected earnings performance suggests graduates are well-prepared for advancement within their chosen fields.
Affordability represents Lesley University's most significant challenge, with net prices that place it in the bottom 10% nationally for affordability. Low-income families pay about $26,173 annually, middle-income families face costs around $31,594, and higher-income families see net prices of $34,726. These figures reflect the reality of private college pricing, where even substantial financial aid leaves families with considerable out-of-pocket expenses.
The university does provide meaningful financial aid—the gap between sticker price and net price indicates substantial grant assistance—but the final costs remain high relative to most public alternatives. For families committed to the small college experience and specialized programs that Lesley offers, the investment may align with their educational priorities. However, the affordability challenge requires careful family financial planning and realistic expectations about post-graduation earning potential, particularly for students entering lower-paying but personally fulfilling career paths in education, social work, and the arts.
Lesley University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
