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Lesley University

Lesley University

Cambridge, MA · City · 1,122 students
Website Common App Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$31,152
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
60%
Graduation rate
58% typical
$51,173
Earnings 10 years on
$55,545 typical
97%
Acceptance rate
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is best known for its human-centered curriculum, featuring standout programs in education, visual arts, psychology, and its pioneering, nationally recognized expressive arts therapy degrees. Anchored by the College of Art and Design and the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences, the university emphasizes hands-on, practitioner-led training focused on social justice, mental health, and community impact. The campus culture is close-knit, progressive, and deeply creative, offering students an intimate learning environment nestled near Harvard and Porter Squares with direct access to Greater Boston’s extensive clinical, educational, and artistic networks.

Wikipedia:Lesley University is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. It was founded in 1909 to educate teachers. Originally founded as a women's college, male students were admitted beginning in 2005.

Location
Cambridge, MA, 02138-2790 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BOS · Boston
6 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$34,256
Housing & food (on campus)$19,920
Books & supplies$1,500
Cost of attendance$51,538
Average net price$31,152
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$34,256
Housing & food (on campus)$19,920
Books & supplies$1,500
Cost of attendance$51,538
Average net price$31,152
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$24,799
$30–48k
$24,044
$48–75k
$29,030
$75–110k
$33,201
$110k+
$35,152
Grants from the school
100% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $16,487
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
60%
Within 4 yrs
43%
Back for yr 2
72%
Transferred
19%
Pell students: 56.2% · others: 58.9% 
8 yrs after starting
60% graduated · 21% transferred · 19% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$40,150
10 yrs after entry$51,173
Debt
Median at graduation$21,000
Monthly payment$223
Middle 50% owe$7k–$26k
90th percentile$31,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral/Professional University: 58% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
97%
Test policy
Not required
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 95.4% · women 97.4% 
Yield: 7.9% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Lesley University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 29%Women 71%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
31%
First-gen
29%
Family income
$51,995
Independent
28%
Age at entry
23.0
Part-time
30%
Where first-years come from
In state (MA)
62.2%
Out of state
33.7%
International
3.6%

Most out-of-state first-years from: NH 12 · NY 9 · CT 5 · ME 5 · CA 4

Race & ethnicity
White
46%
Hispanic
19%
Black
9%
Asian
6%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
3%
Unknown
12%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III without football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$40,150
After 10 yrs
$51,173
Design and Applied Arts63
Psychology, General50
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities47
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods38
Visual and Performing Arts, General30
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions18
Film/Video and Photographic Arts15
Fine and Studio Arts15
Business Administration, Management and Operations14
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology13
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies10
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services9
English Language and Literature, General9
Social Work7
Human Services, General6
Political Science and Government6
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$185M
Full-time faculty
27%
Faculty salary
$8,813/mo
Teaching spend
$14,953
per student
Federal loans
54%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Lesley University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search