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CUNY Lehman College vs CUNY Brooklyn College: which has better ROI?

Public, Bronx NY · vs · Public, Brooklyn NY

The verdict

CUNY Brooklyn College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $12,412 in 1 years versus 1.3 years at CUNY Lehman College, on median earnings of $60,752 vs $58,013 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCUNY Lehman CollegeCUNY Brooklyn College
Net price / yr$3,148$3,103
Total net cost$12,592$12,412
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,013$60,752
Median debt$10,950$11,000
Payback1.3 yrs1 yrs
20-year net return$180,468$235,428

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, CUNY Lehman College or CUNY Brooklyn College?

CUNY Brooklyn College, at $3,103 a year after aid versus $3,148 — a gap of $45 a year, or $180 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 Lehman College or CUNY Brooklyn College graduates earn more?

CUNY Brooklyn College graduates report a median $60,752 ten years after entry, $2,739 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 Lehman College or CUNY Brooklyn College?

CUNY Lehman College: its completers carry a median $10,950 in federal loans versus $11,000 at CUNY Brooklyn College, a difference of $50. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at CUNY Brooklyn 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.

CUNY Lehman College vs CUNY Brooklyn College: frequently asked questions

Is CUNY Lehman College or CUNY Brooklyn College a better value?
CUNY Brooklyn College. It clears its $12,412 net cost in about 1 years versus 1.3 years at CUNY Lehman College, on median earnings of $60,752 vs $58,013 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, CUNY Lehman College or CUNY Brooklyn College?
CUNY Brooklyn College: $3,103/yr net price after aid versus $3,148/yr at CUNY Lehman College — a difference of $45 a year, or about $180 over four years.
Do CUNY Lehman College or CUNY Brooklyn College graduates earn more?
CUNY Brooklyn College graduates earn a median $60,752 ten years after entry, versus $58,013 at CUNY Lehman College — a $2,739 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.