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CUNY Lehman College vs Monroe University: which has better ROI?

Public, Bronx NY · vs · Private for-profit, Bronx NY

The verdict

CUNY Lehman College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $12,592 in 1.3 years versus not at all at Monroe University, on median earnings of $58,013 vs $41,236 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCUNY Lehman CollegeMonroe University
Net price / yr$3,148$14,522
Total net cost$12,592$29,044
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,013$41,236
Median debt$10,950$18,818
Payback1.3 yrs
20-year net return$180,468-$171,524

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

Which is cheaper, CUNY Lehman College or Monroe University?

CUNY Lehman College, at $3,148 a year after aid versus $14,522 — a gap of $11,374 a year, or $16,452 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 Monroe University graduates earn more?

CUNY Lehman College graduates report a median $58,013 ten years after entry, $16,777 more than the $41,236 at Monroe University. 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 Monroe University?

CUNY Lehman College: its completers carry a median $10,950 in federal loans versus $18,818 at Monroe University, a difference of $7,868. 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 Monroe 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.

CUNY Lehman College vs Monroe University: frequently asked questions

Is CUNY Lehman College or Monroe University a better value?
CUNY Lehman College. It clears its $12,592 net cost in about 1.3 years versus no clear payback at Monroe University, on median earnings of $58,013 vs $41,236 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, CUNY Lehman College or Monroe University?
CUNY Lehman College: $3,148/yr net price after aid versus $14,522/yr at Monroe University — a difference of $11,374 a year, or about $16,452 over four years.
Do CUNY Lehman College or Monroe University graduates earn more?
CUNY Lehman College graduates earn a median $58,013 ten years after entry, versus $41,236 at Monroe University — a $16,777 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.