Anthropology at CUNY Lehman College

Bronx, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,879/yr (38% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 18.2x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 178 Anthropology programs Top 1%

Program Analysis

Lehman's Anthropology program truly stands out, reflecting how a robust liberal arts foundation, particularly in a dynamic urban environment, translates into strong career outcomes. Your success here is heavily influenced by the CUNY system's deep roots in New York City. Anthropology graduates from Lehman benefit immensely from access to a diverse labor market, from non-profits and cultural institutions to healthcare administration and market research firms throughout the five boroughs. The program likely emphasizes critical thinking, qualitative analysis, and cross-cultural understanding—skills highly sought after in managerial roles, research, and even public health, explaining the varied career paths. While AI risk is a general concern, the uniquely human-centric insights anthropology provides can be a differentiator. To maximize your potential, actively pursue internships and build a strong network within the city early on; this hands-on experience in the NYC ecosystem will be your greatest asset.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Anthropology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $543K $539K $495K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.3x 18.2x 16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.8x 8.8x 8.1x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,640
Out-of-state: $61,440 (8.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,928
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,663
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,905
44% growth from Year 1

About CUNY Lehman College

With a 55% acceptance rate, CUNY Lehman College is moderately selective, enrolling 10,438 students in Bronx, NY. With 61% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,928 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Lehman College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary $95,770/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Anthropology at Other Schools

Compare Anthropology

Other Majors at CUNY Lehman College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Anthropology at CUNY Lehman College?
A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Anthropology field.
Will AI replace Anthropology careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $494,817 in decade earnings vs $542,731 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes CUNY Lehman College's Anthropology program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 178 programs nationally, CUNY Lehman College lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is CUNY Lehman College a hidden gem for Anthropology?
After financial aid, the average student pays $13,928 over four years — 53% below the $29,640 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →