Business Administration, Management and Operations at CUNY Lehman College

CUNY Lehman College's business program stands out for one compelling reason: exceptionally low debt. At just $11,047 in median student debt, graduates owe less than half the national average and dramatically less than the $25,000 typical for New York business programs. This puts Lehman in the 95th percentile nationally for keeping debt low—meaning only 5% of business programs nationwide require less borrowing.

The earnings picture tells a more nuanced story. Starting salaries of $42,890 trail the national median by about $3,000, placing graduates in the 37th percentile nationally. However, within New York's competitive landscape, Lehman performs better than 60% of similar programs, with earnings actually exceeding the state median of $42,268. Growth is solid too, with 16% increases to nearly $50,000 by year four.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 is excellent, meaning graduates' debt equals just over three months of their starting salary. For families seeking affordable business education without crushing debt burdens, Lehman delivers real value. While graduates won't match the six-figure starting salaries at elite private universities, they enter the workforce with manageable debt and competitive earnings within New York's market—a pragmatic foundation for building wealth over time.