Economics at CUNY Lehman College

Bronx, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
66
Optimistic
65
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,258/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 18.0x earnings multiple (8.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #191 of 351 Economics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $540K $535K $495K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.2x 18.0x 16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.8x 8.7x 8.1x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 65 62

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 (8.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,928
53% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,306
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $44,258 per year, Economics graduates from CUNY Lehman College earn below the $53,966 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 18.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #191 out of 351 programs, CUNY Lehman College's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,258 to $54,306 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About CUNY Lehman College

CUNY Lehman College accepts 55% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, 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
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Economics at Other Schools

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

How does CUNY Lehman College's Economics program score?
A score of 65/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but CUNY Lehman College trails the majority of Economics programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Economics earnings lower at CUNY Lehman College?
Lower starting pay at CUNY Lehman College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Economics at CUNY Lehman College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $29,640, but the average net cost is $13,928 — a 53% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →