History at CUNY Lehman College

At $43,874 in first-year earnings, Lehman's History program significantly outperforms expectations for a moderately selective CUNY campus—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among New York history programs. These graduates earn substantially more than the typical New York history major ($30,192) and nearly $13,000 above the national median. With just $15,090 in debt, the 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio means students typically clear their loans in less than five months of work, making this one of the most accessible paths to a history degree in the state.

The slight earnings dip to $42,716 by year four suggests many graduates may be in education, non-profit work, or public sector roles where early salary growth is limited. However, these careers often provide stability and benefits that raw salary figures don't capture. Given that 61% of students receive Pell grants, Lehman is successfully serving first-generation and lower-income students while delivering outcomes that rival programs at institutions like Cornell ($44,706) and NYU ($39,636).

For families weighing college costs, this represents exceptional value: strong earnings, minimal debt, and access to New York City opportunities. The combination of low financial burden and solid income makes this program work even if your child later pursues graduate school or career changes.