Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at CUNY Lehman College
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Starting a career in Romance Languages at Lehman College means earning less than the typical New York graduate in this field ($35,941 versus $37,442 statewide), but you're getting there with remarkably low debt. At just $8,617, this ranks in the 95th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of Romance Languages programs saddle students with more debt. That's a meaningful advantage for a field where first-year salaries hover in the mid-$30,000s across the board.
The catch is that Lehman places in the 40th percentile among New York programs, and you can see why when comparing to peers: CUNY York College graduates earn $11,000 more annually with this same degree. For a serving-majority-Pell institution like Lehman (61% of students receive Pell grants), that earnings gap matters. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 remains healthy—you'd need less than three months of gross salary to cover the entire debt load.
The small sample size here (under 30 graduates tracked) means individual circumstances could swing these numbers significantly. If your child is passionate about languages and needs an affordable path forward, Lehman delivers that. Just understand they'll likely need graduate school, additional credentials, or bilingual work experience to reach the earnings levels that top-tier New York programs achieve right out of the gate.
Where CUNY Lehman College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How CUNY Lehman College graduates compare to all programs nationally
CUNY Lehman College graduates earn $36k, placing them in the 57th percentile of all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (75 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Lehman College | $35,941 | — | $8,617 | 0.24 |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | $54,327 | $52,718 | $20,250 | 0.37 |
| Colgate University | $53,541 | $65,215 | $16,900 | 0.32 |
| CUNY York College | $46,882 | — | — | — |
| Fordham University | $44,073 | $52,464 | $27,000 | 0.61 |
| Stony Brook University | $43,821 | $57,201 | $19,212 | 0.44 |
| National Median | $34,497 | — | $22,722 | 0.66 |
Other Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs in New York
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across New York schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University in the City of New York New York | $69,045 | $54,327 | $20,250 |
| Colgate University Hamilton | $67,024 | $53,541 | $16,900 |
| CUNY York College Jamaica | $7,358 | $46,882 | — |
| Fordham University Bronx | $61,992 | $44,073 | $27,000 |
| Stony Brook University Stony Brook | $10,560 | $43,821 | $19,212 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At CUNY Lehman College, approximately 61% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 24 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.