CUNY Lehman College combines exceptional affordability with remarkable economic mobility outcomes. As an Opportunity Builders institution, the college serves 60.5% Pell-eligible students while delivering earnings that exceed expectations by $15,963, creating pathways to economic advancement with minimal debt burden.
Above-average long-term value despite serving students from challenging economic backgrounds
Exceptionally low net prices and minimal debt burdens relative to outcomes achieved
Outstanding enrollment of Pell-eligible, first-generation, and transfer students
Demonstrating remarkable ability to convert educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisCUNY Lehman College delivers exceptional value through the combination of low costs, minimal debt, and earnings that significantly exceed expectations. Graduates earn a median of $58,013 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 66th percentile nationally, while carrying just $10,950 in median debt—$9,050 below the peer median of $20,000.
This creates a highly favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19, indicating strong financial sustainability. The institution generates $15,963 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 91.9th percentile nationally on this measure, demonstrating remarkable ability to elevate student outcomes beyond what demographics would predict.
Students seeking affordable, high-value education with strong economic mobility outcomes, particularly those from first-generation and lower-income backgrounds. Well-suited for students interested in health professions, social work, or business programs who prioritize manageable debt and earnings that exceed expectations.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Cuny Lehman College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/cuny-lehman-college/analysis.
Exceptional economic mobility outcomes
CUNY Lehman College ranks #40 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, placing it at the 97.6th percentile among more than 2,000 four-year institutions. This exceptional performance reflects the Bronx-based public college's strength in economic mobility, with a mobility index ranking at the 95.9th percentile nationally.
The institution serves a highly diverse student body, with 60.5% Pell-eligible students and 51.9% first-generation students, demonstrating exceptional access to higher education for underrepresented populations. Despite a moderately selective admission rate of 55.4%, graduates earn $15,963 beyond expectations compared to similar students, ranking at the 91.9th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
With median earnings of $58,013 ten years after enrollment and exceptionally low debt levels of $10,950, CUNY Lehman College exemplifies the Opportunity Builders quadrant, combining broad access with strong economic outcomes.
CUNY Lehman College admits approximately 55.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 11 in 20 applicants receive an offer of admission. This moderately selective admission rate places the institution in the middle range of four-year colleges nationally.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that CUNY Lehman College is more selective than typical institutions serving similar student populations, reflecting stronger demand relative to capacity. This level of selectivity suggests that while admission is competitive, well-prepared students have reasonable chances of acceptance.
The institution's selectivity reflects its urban location and strong outcomes record, which attract more applicants than available spaces. Students should treat CUNY Lehman College as a realistic target rather than a safety school, particularly given its strong reputation in the New York metropolitan area.
For prospective students, this selectivity level indicates the importance of submitting a complete, competitive application while also including schools with higher acceptance rates in their college list. The combination of moderate selectivity with exceptional outcomes makes CUNY Lehman College an attractive option for students seeking value and economic mobility.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
197 graduates
Computer Science.
81 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
66 graduates
Algebra and Number Theory.
43 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
146 graduates
CUNY Lehman College offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available. Adult Health Nursing ranks #13 nationally and #4 in New York, producing 197 graduates with median earnings of $112,500 and an exceptional value score of 95.6.
Clinical Research Coordinator ranks #12 nationally and #1 in New York, graduating 228 students with median earnings of $53,599 and a value score of 84.5. Forensic Social Work ranks #19 nationally and #8 in New York, with 136 graduates earning $50,858.
Clinical Nutrition ranks #5 nationally and #3 in New York, reflecting the institution's particular strength in health-related programs. Applied Sociology ranks #41 nationally and #7 in New York, graduating 250 students with median earnings of $47,174.
Business Administration, the institution's largest program with 285 graduates, provides a median salary of $49,624, demonstrating strong outcomes across high-enrollment programs.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
CUNY Lehman College demonstrates exceptional affordability among four-year institutions, with a published cost of attendance of $13,456 per year. This includes in-state tuition of $7,410, room and board costs, and $1,500 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays just $3,482 after financial aid, representing financial aid savings of $9,974—a 74% reduction from sticker price. This net price places CUNY Lehman College at the 99.2nd percentile nationally for affordability, ranking among the most affordable institutions we track.
Compared to peer institutions, the average net price is $12,108 lower than the peer median of $15,590, demonstrating exceptional value relative to similar schools. The institution's affordability extends across all income levels, with even the highest-income families paying just $10,803 annually.
This combination of low published prices and generous financial aid creates one of the most accessible higher education opportunities in the New York metropolitan area, supporting the institution's mission of serving first-generation and lower-income students.
CUNY Lehman College graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth and outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Median earnings rise from $51,067 six years after enrollment to $54,571 at eight years and $58,013 at ten years, representing 13.6% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 1,676 graduates at six years, 1,420 at eight years, and 1,538 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $15,963 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing CUNY Lehman College in the 91.9th percentile for earnings uplift—a remarkable achievement for a public institution serving predominantly first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
Earnings span from $36,728 at the 25th percentile to $82,802 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across the institution's program portfolio. Low-income graduates earn $44,300, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Approximately 27.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Felician University Higher acceptance rate (38.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 11 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NJ | 94% | $57,602 | Compare |
Cedar Crest College Higher acceptance rate (43.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 87 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PA | 99% | $59,460 | Compare |
Long Island University Higher acceptance rate (34.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 16 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 90% | $59,950 | Compare |
Keuka College Higher acceptance rate (38.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 94% | $58,289 | Compare |
Elmira College Higher acceptance rate (35.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 91% | $57,550 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice Similar quality tier in Northeast (#41 ranked) | NY | 57% | $56,195 | #41 | Compare |
Cuny City College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#38 ranked) | NY | 58% | $66,039 | #38 | Compare |
Georgia State University Similar quality tier (#37 ranked) | GA | 62% | $47,384 | #37 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At San Antonio Similar quality tier (#36 ranked) | TX | 88% | $57,131 | #36 | Compare |
San Francisco State University Similar quality tier (#44 ranked) | CA | 96% | $68,077 | #44 | Compare |