English Language and Literature at CUNY Lehman College

Lehman College's English program outperforms most comparable programs while keeping debt remarkably low—just $11,391, less than half the national median and among the lowest debt loads in the country (5th percentile). The $34,337 first-year earnings place graduates above 74% of English programs nationally and above 60% in New York, a competitive state for this major. That puts Lehman closer to prestigious institutions like Hofstra ($35,637) than to the typical NY program earning $28,290.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 is exceptionally favorable, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in four months of gross earnings. With 61% of Lehman students receiving Pell grants, this program appears to deliver genuine economic mobility to lower-income students pursuing humanities degrees. The 11% earnings growth to $38,076 by year four suggests steady career progression rather than stagnation.

For parents worried about English degrees leading to financial strain, Lehman offers compelling evidence to the contrary. Your child would graduate with minimal debt while earning more than most English majors across New York State, including those from schools with much higher price tags. This is one of the stronger value propositions for an English degree in the region.