CUNY City College vs CUNY Lehman College: which has better ROI?
CUNY City College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $15,104 in 0.9 years versus 1.3 years at CUNY Lehman College, on median earnings of $66,039 vs $58,013 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | CUNY City College | CUNY Lehman College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,776 | $3,148 |
| Total net cost | $15,104 | $12,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,039 | $58,013 |
| Median debt | $11,990 | $10,950 |
| Payback | 0.9 yrs | 1.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $338,476 | $180,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, CUNY City College or CUNY Lehman College?
CUNY Lehman College, at $3,148 a year after aid versus $3,776 — a gap of $628 a year, or $2,512 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do CUNY City College or CUNY Lehman College graduates earn more?
CUNY City College graduates report a median $66,039 ten years after entry, $8,026 more than the $58,013 at CUNY Lehman College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, CUNY City College or CUNY Lehman College?
CUNY Lehman College: its completers carry a median $10,950 in federal loans versus $11,990 at CUNY City College, a difference of $1,040. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at CUNY City College, against 51% at CUNY Lehman College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.