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Columbia University in the City of New York vs CUNY Lehman College

Columbia University in the City of New York is a private university in New York, NY. CUNY Lehman College is a public college in Bronx, NY. Columbia University in the City of New York admits about 4% of applicants and CUNY Lehman College about 57%, making Columbia University in the City of New York the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $3,148 a year at CUNY Lehman College after aid, and about $21,590 at Columbia University in the City of New York. About 96% of students graduate at Columbia University in the City of New York, compared with 50% at CUNY Lehman College. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia University in the City of New York alumni earn a median of about $102,491, against $58,013 for CUNY Lehman College.

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private

CUNY Lehman College

Bronx, NY · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
New York, NY
Bronx, NY
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
8,973
10,696
Acceptance rate
4%
57%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.4–3.9
SAT (middle 50%)
1510–1580
850–1150
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
18–21
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$21,590
$3,148
Full cost / yr
$89,472
$14,121
In-state tuition
$71,845
$7,410
Out-of-state tuition
$71,845
$15,360
Application fee
$85
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,570
$1,589
$30k - $48k
$2,275
$2,374
$48k - $75k
$5,866
$6,834
$75k - $110k
$11,782
$9,696
Over $110k
$50,621
$13,600
Outcomes
Graduation rate
96%
50%
Freshman retention
98%
73%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$88,535
$51,067
Median earnings (10 yr)
$102,491
$58,013
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$10,950
Student body
Pell grant recipients
23%
60%
First-generation students
25%
52%
International students
20%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 1
Feb 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY Lehman College harder to get into?
Columbia University in the City of New York is harder to get into. It admits about 4% of applicants, compared with 57% at CUNY Lehman College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY Lehman College?
CUNY Lehman College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $3,148 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $21,590 at Columbia University in the City of New York. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Columbia University in the City of New York and CUNY Lehman College?
Before aid, CUNY Lehman College costs about $14,121 a year and Columbia University in the City of New York about $89,472. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY Lehman College?
CUNY Lehman College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,589 there, against about $4,570 at Columbia University in the City of New York. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY Lehman College?
CUNY Lehman College is the larger of the two, with about 10,696 undergraduates against 8,973 at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Does Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY Lehman College have a better graduation rate?
Columbia University in the City of New York has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 50% at CUNY Lehman College.
Do graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY Lehman College earn more?
Columbia University in the City of New York alumni earn more on average: a median of about $102,491 ten years after enrolling, against about $58,013 for CUNY Lehman College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Columbia University in the City of New York and CUNY Lehman College require SAT or ACT scores?
Columbia University in the City of New York is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. CUNY Lehman College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Columbia University in the City of New York and CUNY Lehman College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1580 at Columbia University in the City of New York and 850–1150 at CUNY Lehman College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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