CUNY Lehman College vs The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art: 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 1.5 years at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, on median earnings of $58,013 vs $83,847 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | CUNY Lehman College | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,148 | $13,269 |
| Total net cost | $12,592 | $53,076 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,013 | $83,847 |
| Median debt | $10,950 | $15,000 |
| Payback | 1.3 yrs | 1.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $180,468 | $656,664 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, CUNY Lehman College or The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art?
CUNY Lehman College, at $3,148 a year after aid versus $13,269 — a gap of $10,121 a year, or $40,484 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 The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates earn more?
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates report a median $83,847 ten years after entry, $25,834 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 The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art?
CUNY Lehman College: its completers carry a median $10,950 in federal loans versus $15,000 at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, a difference of $4,050. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, 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.