CUNY Lehman College vs Fordham University: which has better ROI?
CUNY Lehman College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $12,592 in 1.3 years versus 4.8 years at Fordham University, on median earnings of $58,013 vs $85,569 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | CUNY Lehman College | Fordham University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,148 | $44,338 |
| Total net cost | $12,592 | $177,352 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,013 | $85,569 |
| Median debt | $10,950 | $24,300 |
| Payback | 1.3 yrs | 4.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $180,468 | $566,828 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, CUNY Lehman College or Fordham University?
CUNY Lehman College, at $3,148 a year after aid versus $44,338 — a gap of $41,190 a year, or $164,760 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 Fordham University graduates earn more?
Fordham University graduates report a median $85,569 ten years after entry, $27,556 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 Fordham University?
CUNY Lehman College: its completers carry a median $10,950 in federal loans versus $24,300 at Fordham University, a difference of $13,350. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
82% of students finish at Fordham University, 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.