Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Lesley University #1354 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,664 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lesley University in the 46.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Lesley University #1093 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Lesley University #1354 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private doctoral/professional university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley University enrolls roughly 1,122 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 72.3% freshman retention rate and a 58.0% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Lesley University draws strength from its distinctive academic mission centered on Visual & Performing Arts. The institution's program portfolio emphasizes creative and applied fields where hands-on learning and portfolio development anchor student outcomes. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,117, and earn about $2,664 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lesley University in the 46.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Lesley University #1001 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability shape the institution's composite position. Lesley University enrolls 30.6% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 28.7% first-generation students, reflecting a moderately selective admissions posture. The institution sits in the 10.2 percentile for access and the 19.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students pursuing creative careers in design, education, counseling, and the arts — fields where Lesley University concentrates its degree output — the institution offers a focused pathway with outcomes grounded in real labor-market demand for creative professionals.
Lesley University's published cost of attendance is $51,538. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $24,799, middle-income families pay around $29,030, and higher-income families pay approximately $35,152. Azimuth ranks Lesley University #1153 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Lesley University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (FAFSA), state, and institutional sources. The institution participates in federal grant and loan programs, and work-study is available as part of aid packages. The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need for admitted students, though the specific aid methodology and percentage of need met varies by individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $31,465; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,117, median federal debt of $21,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $237 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Lesley University is a private nonprofit university in Cambridge, MA that serves students drawn to the visual and performing arts — a good fit for those seeking a creative-focused education in the Boston metro area. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $55,117, placing Lesley University in the 24.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,664 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 46.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 30.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.7% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $35,152, and median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 96.9% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors creative fields over STEM or business. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find Lesley University a strong option.
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 Lesley University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
17 graduates
Psychology, General
89 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
54 graduates
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
32 graduates
English Language and Literature, General
10 graduates
Lesley University concentrates its program portfolio in visual and performing arts, education, and human services — a signature aligned with the institution's identity as a creative and socially engaged private university in Cambridge. Psychology, General is the largest program with 89 graduates, followed by Design and Applied Arts, Teacher Education, General Studies, and Clinical, Counseling and Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.
Across 22 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering strong four-year earnings outcomes relative to peer creative and education-focused institutions. The highest-earning programs at Lesley University cluster in applied creative fields and professional education.
Business Administration graduates earn median earnings of $67,879 four years after enrollment with 17 graduates, while Psychology, General delivers median earnings of $56,837 and Teacher Education reaches $52,570. These outcomes reflect the institution's strength in fields where creative skills and professional credentials command stable labor-market demand.
Clinical, Counseling and Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology and Visual and Performing Arts round out the earnings leaders, demonstrating breadth across applied creative and human-services pathways. Several of Lesley University's programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly in creative industries, education, and counseling roles — fields where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with national wage trends in creative services and education sectors.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Lesley University's published cost of attendance is $51,538. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $24,799, middle-income families pay around $29,030, and higher-income families pay approximately $35,152.
Azimuth ranks Lesley University #1153 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Lesley University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (FAFSA), state, and institutional sources. The institution participates in federal grant and loan programs, and work-study is available as part of aid packages.
The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need for admitted students, though the specific aid methodology and percentage of need met varies by individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $31,465; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,117, median federal debt of $21,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $237 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Lesley University earn median 4-year earnings of $55,117, placing Lesley University in the 24.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,664 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Lesley University in the 46.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Lesley University #1001 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Lesley University's concentration in visual and performing arts.
Psychology, General is the largest program with 89 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $56,837, performing at 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Design and Applied Arts program graduates 70 students with median 4-year earnings of $45,099, while Teacher Education and General Studies round out the top programs with 54 and 49 graduates respectively.
These creative and design-focused fields anchor Lesley University's distinctive economic profile within the private nonprofit sector.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
York University Similar quality tier (#36094 ranked) | NE | 52% | $44,130 | #36094 | Compare |
Belmont Abbey College Similar quality tier (#36095 ranked) | NC | 75% | $47,937 | #36095 | Compare |
Culver-Stockton College Similar quality tier (#36092 ranked) | MO | 99% | $46,092 | #36092 | Compare |
New England College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#36090 ranked) | NH | 92% | $42,092 | #36090 | Compare |
Nazareth University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#36096 ranked) | NY | 75% | $56,458 | #36096 | Compare |
