Students at Cuny Lehman College benefit from one of the most affordable public education experiences in the country while achieving earnings that substantially exceed expectations.
The combination of minimal upfront costs and strong long-term financial outcomes creates exceptional value for students from all economic backgrounds.
Cuny Lehman College delivers exceptional value as one of New York's most accessible and affordable public institutions. Located in the Bronx, this large public college serves a predominantly first-generation and low-income student population while maintaining strong long-term earnings outcomes that place it in the 70th percentile nationally for return on investment.
What makes Lehman particularly noteworthy is its combination of broad access and meaningful upward mobility. With over 60% of students receiving Pell Grants and more than half being first-generation college students, the institution opens its doors widely while still helping graduates achieve median earnings of $58,013 ten years after enrollment. The college's earnings beyond expectations performance is especially strong, with graduates earning nearly $16,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions.
As a designated "Mobility Engine," Lehman College exemplifies how public higher education can serve as a pathway to economic advancement. The institution's affordability metrics rank in the top tier nationally, with low-income students paying just $2,047 annually and middle-income families facing costs of only $7,516 per year. This combination of accessibility, affordability, and solid career outcomes makes Lehman College a standout option for students seeking reliable pathways to financial stability in the competitive New York job market.
Cuny Lehman College's program portfolio reflects a practical focus on career preparation in high-demand fields. The Adult Health Nursing program stands out as the institution's economic engine, graduating 197 students annually who achieve median earnings of $95,348 ten years out. This represents exceptional value in healthcare, where demand remains consistently strong and career advancement opportunities are substantial.
Business Administration serves as the college's largest program with 285 graduates, providing broad professional preparation that leads to median earnings around $40,037. While more modest than nursing outcomes, these earnings reflect solid middle-class career prospects in the diverse New York economy. Computer Science, though smaller with 81 graduates, produces strong outcomes at approximately $57,318, demonstrating the college's ability to prepare students for technical careers in one of the nation's leading technology markets.
The concentration in nursing, business, and computer science reflects Lehman's understanding of regional labor market demands and student career aspirations. These programs provide clear pathways to stable employment while maintaining the accessibility that defines the college's mission. The strong aggregate returns across these fields help explain why Lehman graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations despite the institution's open-access approach.
Graduates of Cuny Lehman College achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that exceed expectations given the institution's accessibility and affordability. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $58,013, placing the college in the 70th percentile nationally for earnings performance. More impressive is the college's earnings beyond expectations advantage of nearly $16,000, meaning graduates consistently outperform similar students at comparable institutions by a substantial margin.
The strongest financial returns come from the college's nursing program, where 197 graduates achieve median earnings of $95,348 ten years out, representing exceptional value in a high-demand healthcare field. Business Administration, the college's largest program with 285 graduates, produces more moderate but still solid outcomes with median earnings around $40,037. Computer Science graduates, though fewer in number at 81 students, earn approximately $57,318, reflecting strong demand for technical skills in the New York metropolitan area.
Lehman's program portfolio balances practical professional preparation with broad accessibility. The concentration in nursing, business, and computer science provides clear pathways to stable, well-paying careers, while the college's overall earnings performance demonstrates that graduates across various fields benefit from the institution's location and employer connections in one of the nation's largest job markets.
Cuny Lehman College ranks among the most affordable public institutions in the country, with affordability metrics placing it in the 99th percentile nationally. Low-income students pay just $2,047 annually after financial aid, while middle-income families face net costs of $7,516 per year. Even high-income families pay only $10,803 annually, making Lehman accessible across the full income spectrum and particularly valuable for families seeking quality education without financial strain.
Debt levels remain remarkably manageable for most students. Typical graduates leave with approximately $10,950 in federal student loan debt, well below national averages for public institutions. Parent PLUS borrowing averages about $10,603, a modest level that reflects the institution's low sticker prices and generous financial aid. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates can comfortably manage their debt obligations given their post-graduation earnings.
What makes Lehman especially sustainable financially is how the low upfront costs translate into long-term value. With median earnings approaching $58,000 ten years after graduation and minimal debt burdens, most graduates can achieve financial stability relatively quickly. The combination of exceptionally low net prices and solid career outcomes creates one of the strongest value propositions among public institutions nationwide.
Cuny Lehman College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
