Columbia University in the City of New York
Columbia University in the City of New York — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Columbia University in the City of New York at a Glance
Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a private Ivy League research university in New York City, United States. Established in 1754 as King's College by royal charter under George II of Great Britain on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhattan, it is the oldest institution of higher education in New York and the fifth-oldest in the United States.
1754
272 years old
$15.9B
$15.9 billion (2025)
36,649
9,761 undergrad · 26,888 grad
4,628
299 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Columbia University in the City of New York
Official admissions pageJanuary 1
November 1 (Early Decision, binding)
$85
Fee waiver available
2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Fee waiver
Is Columbia University in the City of New York Worth It?
Columbia University in the City of New York is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $21,590/year net price and $102,491 median earnings, graduates earn 4.7× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 96% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
The catch: admission is extremely selective at just 4%, making this an option only for top-tier applicants.
Bottom line: Columbia University in the City of New York delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Columbia University in the City of New York compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 20 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 100 | $21,590 | $102,491 |
| #2 | Yale University | 100 | $23,777 | $100,533 |
| #3 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #4 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #5 | Harvard University | 100 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| #6 | Princeton University | 100 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Columbia University in the City of New York's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Columbia University in the City of New York
The highest-earning program at Columbia University in the City of New York is Computer Science at $96,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $19,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Columbia University in the City of New York earns $96,400, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $19,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $15,000 in median debt vs. $28,556 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,590/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $96,400 | $96,400 | $15,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $85,600 | $85,600 | $25,000 |
| Operations Research | $79,000 | $79,000 | N/A |
| Economics | $75,300 | $75,300 | $25,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $74,200 | $74,200 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $68,400 | $68,400 | $11,250 |
| Chemical Engineering | $68,100 | $68,100 | N/A |
| Civil Engineering | $66,000 | $66,000 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $51,100 | $51,100 | $25,000 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $49,800 | $49,800 | N/A |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $45,000 | $45,000 | $24,653 |
| Sociology | $43,800 | $43,800 | $23,000 |
| Sustainability Studies | $42,500 | $42,500 | $25,582 |
| History | $42,100 | $42,100 | $22,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,500 | $41,500 | $21,000 |
| Area Studies | $41,300 | $41,300 | $17,208 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $40,300 | $40,300 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $39,600 | $39,600 | $24,781 |
| Biology, General | $39,400 | $39,400 | $21,146 |
| Anthropology | $35,100 | $35,100 | $27,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $33,100 | $33,100 | $23,500 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | $21,800 | $21,800 | $25,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $19,700 | $19,700 | $28,556 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- New York, NY
- Student Body
- 8,973 students
- Admission Rate
- 4%
- Graduation Rate
- 96%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,590
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $102,491
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500