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Social Work at CUNY Lehman College

Bronx, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $42,300/yr (16% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)

ROI 19.4x earnings multiple (9.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #8 of 338 Social Work programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$576K	$575K	$543K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.4x	19.4x	18.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.4x	9.4x	8.8x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	69%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	60	60	66

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 (9.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$13,928

53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,000

4.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$57,482

36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

CUNY Lehman College's Social Work graduates start at $42,300/yr — above the $36,554 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 19.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,000 in median debt clears quickly against $42,300 in annual earnings.

CUNY Lehman College ranks #8 among 338 Social Work programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 36% earnings increase from $42,300 to $57,482 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About CUNY Lehman College

CUNY Lehman College's 55% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving 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

Social and community service managers $78,240/yr

Social work teachers, postsecondary $76,210/yr

Social workers, all other $69,480/yr

View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Social Work at Other Schools

Compare Social Work

Other Majors at CUNY Lehman College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at CUNY Lehman College?

At 60/100, CUNY Lehman College's Social Work program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is CUNY Lehman College one of the best schools for Social Work?

Among 338 Social Work programs, CUNY Lehman College's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

What do students actually pay for Social Work at CUNY Lehman College?

The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,640. At a net cost of $13,928, the earnings multiple improves substantially.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →