Admit rate has ranged 38%–58% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
CUNY Lehman College is a public institution in the Bronx that punches above its weight, offering affordable, high-quality education with a strong emphasis on social mobility. Known for its lush campus and diverse student body, Lehman combines rigorous academics with robust student support, particularly in psychology, business, and online programs. Its standout value—low tuition paired with solid post-graduation earnings—makes it a powerhouse for first-gen and working-class New Yorkers.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
10,696
In-state tuition
$7,410
Out-of-state tuition
$15,360
Popular Majors
Psychology, Business, Social Work
Acceptance Rate
44-56%
Graduation Rate
49-58%
Median Earnings
$63,353
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$58,013
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
18.4×
Median debt at graduation
$10,950
Graduation rate
51%
First-year retention
73%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
51%
Pell (lower-income) share
89%
First-generation share
52%
Endowment / student
$3,516
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$95,348
Computer Science$57,318
Information Science/Studies$46,673
Health and Medical Administrative Services$42,235
Accounting and Related Services$40,927
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
91
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
54.3"
Annual snow
19.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
10.2%
Bottom → top quintile
28%
From bottom quintile
37%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at CUNY Lehman College?
CUNY Lehman College's acceptance rate is approximately 57% (Bronx, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for CUNY Lehman College?
Admitted students at CUNY Lehman College typically score 850–1150 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does CUNY Lehman College cost?
At CUNY Lehman College, the average net price (after aid) is about $3,148 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend CUNY Lehman College?
CUNY Lehman College enrolls approximately 10,696 undergraduate students.
Where is CUNY Lehman College located?
CUNY Lehman College is located in Bronx, NY.
Admissions
Lehman College is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. fluctuating between 44-56% in recent years. The average admitted student has a GPA around 3.0 and SAT scores between 850-1150 (ACT 15-23). Notably, 26% of admitted students boast GPAs of 3.75+, while 47% fall in the 3.50-3.74 range. The college doesn’t enforce rigid application deadlines, offering flexibility typical of CUNY’s mission-driven approach.
Lehman offers over 50 majors across six schools, with psychology, business administration, and social work among the most popular. The college is a leader in online education, providing 11 fully online undergraduate majors and 25+ graduate certificates. Programs like accounting and biology emphasize practical skills, while interdisciplinary options cater to niche interests. The curriculum balances theoretical rigor with real-world applicability, leveraging CUNY’s extensive NYC networks.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$40,037
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$39,369
Anthropology$38,289
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus life thrives with 60+ clubs, leadership programs, and cultural events hosted by the Office of Campus Life. The Student Life Building serves as a hub for activities ranging from advocacy training to social mixers. Instagram posts showcase vibrant events like talent shows and community service projects, reflecting Lehman’s commitment to fostering ethical leadership. Support services—including mental health resources—are woven into daily campus culture.
Lehman’s six-year graduation rate hovers around 49-58%, with alumni earning median salaries of $63,353—outpacing many peers. Philosophy grads report lower earnings (~$29,787), while overall alumni see wages rise to ~$63,847 five years post-graduation. Washington Monthly ranked Lehman a top-10 school for value, citing its $3,148 Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. for median-income students and strong ROI.
Tuition is a steal: $7,410 in-state, $15,360 out-of-state, with Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. as low as $3,148 for low-income students. The financial aid office aggressively supports applicants, leveraging CUNY’s aid estimator to maximize grants and scholarships. Over 50% of students receive aid, with packages often covering most costs for families earning under $30K.
Lehman’s trifecta—affordability, diversity, and strong outcomes—makes it a gem in CUNY’s crown. Its Bronx location provides unique urban opportunities, while the tree-lined campus offers respite. The college excels at serving non-traditional students, with flexible online programs and robust evening classes. Few institutions deliver Lehman’s combination of low debt burdens and upward mobility: a true engine for NYC’s working class.
CUNY Lehman College logo · sourceLehman College | Lehman College · sourceCUNY--Lehman College - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceAbout Lehman College | Lehman College · source
.jpg?width=1600)
