Head-to-head · 2026
CUNY City College vs CUNY Lehman College
Compare average net price ($3,776 at CUNY City College; $3,148 at CUNY Lehman College), ROI score (43.72 vs 46.07), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($66,039 vs $58,013), and admissions selectivity (60% acceptance at CUNY City College; 56.6% at CUNY Lehman College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | CUNY City College | CUNY Lehman College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 43.72 | 46.07 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,776 | $3,148 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $15,104 | $12,592 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,340 | $7,410 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,290 | $15,360 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $66,039 ✓ | $58,013 |
| Acceptance rate | 60% | 56.6% |
| Graduation rate | 56.8% ✓ | 51.3% |
| Retention rate | 79.3% ✓ | 73.1% |
| Median debt | $11,990 | $10,950 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 12,505 | 10,696 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1260 | 970 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | CUNY City College | CUNY Lehman College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,251 ✓ | $1,589 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,990 | $2,374 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,811 ✓ | $6,834 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,982 | $9,696 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,806 ✓ | $13,600 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | CUNY City College | CUNY Lehman College |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 12.7% | 8.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2.5% | 10.6% |
| Biology, General | 6.5% | 2.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.5% | 4.6% |
| Sociology | 1.7% | 5.1% |
| Computer Science | 3.9% | 2.9% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 2.5% | 4.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.8% | 1.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
CUNY Lehman College reports the lower average net price by $628 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $2,512 difference over four years ($12,592 vs $15,104).
CUNY City College reports $8,026 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($66,039 vs $58,013). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.3% at CUNY City College and 73.1% at CUNY Lehman College. Median federal debt among completers is $11,990 vs $10,950, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
CUNY City College vs CUNY Lehman College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
CUNY Lehman College is cheaper — average net price $3,148 per year vs $3,776 at CUNY City College. The annual difference of $628 adds up to about $2,512 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
CUNY City College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $66,039 vs $58,013 at CUNY Lehman College. The gap in the federal data is $8,026. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
CUNY Lehman College is more selective at 56.6% acceptance vs 60% at CUNY City College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.