How to get into CUNY Lehman College
How to get into CUNY Lehman: the CUNY system application, in-state cost advantage, and Bronx-based pathways
56.6%
Acceptance rate
$7,410
In-state cost
$15,360
Out-of-state cost
What makes CUNY Lehman College admissions different
Lehman College is a senior college in the CUNY (City University of New York) system in the Bronx. CUNY uses a single common application — you list multiple CUNY colleges in priority order, and each evaluates your application separately. Lehman admits around 57% and serves a heavily commuter, first-generation, and Bronx/upper-Manhattan population. The math is straightforward: in-state tuition is roughly $7,500 per year, the Macaulay Honors College (system-wide) covers full tuition for admitted students, and the Excelsior Scholarship eliminates tuition for qualifying New York State residents.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the CUNY application by the CUNY priority deadline (typically February 1 for fall). You can list multiple CUNY senior colleges in order — Lehman as one of your choices.
- 2.
Submit your high school transcript. CUNY senior colleges are test-optional for most majors; check the most current policy.
- 3.
Indicate interest in the Macaulay Honors College if your stats are strong (typically 90+ GPA average and competitive coursework). Macaulay is a system-wide honors program with full tuition coverage, a laptop, and academic enrichment funds.
- 4.
New York State residents: file the FAFSA and the TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) application. Combined with Pell, many CUNY students attend tuition-free.
- 5.
Check Lehman's nursing, accounting, and computer science programs for major-specific GPA gates. Some programs require a separate application after admission.
- 6.
Look into Lehman's CUNY Pipeline programs (for graduate school preparation), the Lehman College Honors Program, and the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship if applicable.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Listing CUNY colleges in arbitrary order. Your order matters — colleges evaluate you knowing you ranked them.
- ✕
Skipping the Macaulay Honors application when your stats qualify. Macaulay is the most generous award in the CUNY system.
- ✕
Missing the FAFSA + TAP filing window. The Excelsior Scholarship has its own application separate from FAFSA and TAP.
- ✕
Treating Lehman as identical to other CUNY colleges. Each senior college has its own programs, strengths, and cost-of-attendance differences (mostly commuting cost).
The specifics for CUNY Lehman College
Application deadlines
- CUNY Priority DeadlineFebruary 1, 2026Single CUNY application; list Lehman among your choices
- FAFSA + TAPThroughout spring 2026 for fall enrollment
What makes this admissions process distinctive
CUNY common application
Single application for all CUNY colleges. Applicants list multiple CUNY senior colleges in priority order. Each evaluates independently.
Macaulay Honors College (system-wide)
CUNY's system-wide honors college covers full tuition, provides a laptop, and offers academic enrichment funds. Macaulay students at Lehman get the same benefits as at other participating CUNY colleges.
Notable scholarships at CUNY Lehman College
Excelsior Scholarship (state-administered)Tuition coverage for qualifying NY State residents
NY State residents meeting income and academic eligibility. Separate application from FAFSA and TAP.
TAP (Tuition Assistance Program)
NY State residents. Combined with Pell, many CUNY students attend tuition-free.
What graduates actually do
Lehman College is the Bronx's senior CUNY institution and a major engine of social mobility for first-generation, immigrant, and Latino students. It is a top producer of New York City teachers, social workers, and nurses, with strong feeders into NYC Department of Education and Montefiore/NYC Health + Hospitals. Lehman is consistently ranked among the top US institutions for upward economic mobility.
Notable alumni
- Sonia Manzano — Actor (Maria on Sesame Street)
- Robert Klein — Comedian
- Ronnie Eldridge — Former NYC Council Member
- Charles Rangel — Former U.S. Congressman
Transfer pathway
55% transfer acceptance rate
Lehman is deeply integrated into CUNY's system-wide transfer infrastructure. CUNY Pathways guarantees credit transfer across all CUNY community colleges. Associate-degree graduates from any CUNY community college are guaranteed admission to a senior college, though not necessarily Lehman. Lehman maintains specific dual/joint programs with Bronx Community College, Hostos, and LaGuardia. Nursing has selective transfer requirements; most other majors admit with 2.0+ GPA.
Articulation partners
Bronx Community College · Hostos Community College · LaGuardia Community College · Borough of Manhattan Community College · Westchester Community College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
For New York State residents in the Bronx and upper Manhattan, Lehman is a clear target — admission is realistic for most applicants meeting CUNY's academic floor, and the financial aid math is among the best in the country. Macaulay Honors College is the high-merit pathway for top applicants who want zero tuition.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.