Lesley University
- Graduation Rate
- 60% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,173 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $31,152 F
- 82% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 97% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $11.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,279,377.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 25% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lesley University Matters
Lesley University is a private doctoral / professional university in Cambridge, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 1,122
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology, Education, Humanities
Why students choose Lesley University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 97% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $31,152 a year after grants and scholarships — 82% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,173 ten years after enrolling — 25% above the typical college, against $21,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 61% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.81 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 97%, Lesley University is a welcoming place for students who value creativity and a strong sense of community. Those drawn to this school often find their niche in programs like Visual & Performing Arts, Humanities, Psychology, Education, and Health Professions. It's a good fit for individuals who want to explore their passions in an environment that encourages personal expression and growth.
Graduates from Lesley can expect to earn around $51,173 within a decade of finishing their studies. While the graduation rate sits at 60%, which indicates some challenges, many who do complete their degrees move into fulfilling careers that align with their interests. The affordability factor is also significant; with a net price of $31,152, the investment in an education here can lead to a decent return in terms of earnings.
After financial aid, students typically graduate with a median debt of $21,000. This is manageable for many, especially considering the potential earnings post-graduation. The community at Lesley tends to thrive on collaboration and creativity, making it ideal for those who are passionate about their fields and eager to make an impact. If you're looking for an environment that fosters both personal and professional growth, Lesley University might be a great choice.
Rankings
- #16 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts
- #25 Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #31 Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts
- #45 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #46 Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts
- #47 Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
- #48 Best Master's Programs in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Lesley University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lesley University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Lesley University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 27%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,813
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.74
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 3,144
- Admitted
- 2,711
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lesley University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lesley University is $34,256, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $31,152. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,799 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $34,256
- Out-of-State
- $34,256
- Avg Net Price
- $31,152
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 31%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 54%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $24,799
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $24,044
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $29,030
- Family Income $110K+
- $35,152
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Lesley University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lesley University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lesley University earn a median of $51,173, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,150
- 8 Years
- $41,277
- 10 Years
- $51,173
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 59%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (140)
- 47%
- 100% (140)
- 47%
- 100% (140)
- 47%
- 100% (140)
- 47%
How Lesley Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Lesley University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lesley University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $31,152/year ($124,608 total). Graduates earn $51,173 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,403,985 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,279,377 (11.3× your investment). The median debt is $21,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 60% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $124,608
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,403,985
- Net Return
- $1,279,377
- ROI Multiple
- 11.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $31,152
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Lesley University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lesley University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.26%, well above the typical college. About 7.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $96,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.26%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $130,566
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,748,254
- Investment Income
- $-26,620,249
Top Programs
The fields Lesley University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Visual & Performing Arts 32% $41,546 early-career
- Psychology 18% $39,121 early-career
- Education 11% $49,829 early-career
- Humanities 11% $45,495 early-career
- Business & Marketing 8% $60,130 early-career
- Health Professions 4% $28,903 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $45,495 early-career
- Social Sciences 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lesley University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
- CProduct Manager$125,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lesley University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Lesley University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lesley University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lesley University is $34,256, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $31,152. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,799 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
Is Lesley University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lesley University earn a median of $51,173, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Lesley University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lesley University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.26%, well above the typical college. About 7.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $96,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lesley University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lesley University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.81, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lesley University.
- Doane UniversityCrete, NE · Close peer56% grad $53,316 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- William Jessup UniversityRocklin, CA · Close peer58% grad $56,257 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Northwestern-St PaulSaint Paul, MN · Close peer68% grad $50,755 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rivier UniversityNashua, NH · Close peer55% grad $52,248 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Franklin Pierce UniversityRindge, NH · Close peer50% grad $53,353 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
- Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA · Close peer65% grad $49,802 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lesley University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lesley University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.81, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note