Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at CUNY Lehman College

CUNY Lehman College's nursing program punches well above its weight. Despite serving a predominantly working-class student body in the Bronx—61% receive Pell grants—graduates earn a median of $101,531 in their first year, crushing the national average by $27,000 and landing in the 95th percentile nationally. Even within New York's competitive nursing market, where salaries run higher, Lehman graduates still earn above the state median. The debt picture makes this even more compelling: at just over $20,000, students borrow roughly $7,000 less than typical nursing grads while earning substantially more.

The value becomes crystal clear when you compare outcomes to cost. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20, graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of work. Earnings continue climbing to $112,500 by year four, placing Lehman solidly among New York's top-performing nursing programs—comparable to SUNY Downstate and not far behind NYU, which likely costs significantly more. The robust sample size confirms these aren't flukes.

For families worried about affordability, Lehman delivers elite-level nursing outcomes at CUNY prices. The combination of low debt, high immediate earnings, and strong career trajectory makes this one of the best ROI nursing programs you'll find in New York.