Columbia College— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$45,378
in 2021+20% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings grew 20% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
- •Net price increased 23% since 2010 — costs are rising faster than inflation
- •Graduation rate improved by 4 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 38% | $3,500 |
| 1999 | — | — | 34% | $4,000 |
| 2000 | — | — | 35% | $4,029 |
| 2001 | — | — | 45% | $4,000 |
| 2002 | — | — | 40% | $3,500 |
| 2003 | — | — | 46% | $3,750 |
| 2004 | — | — | 36% | $4,000 |
| 2005 | — | — | 51% | $3,745 |
| 2006 | — | — | 40% | $3,500 |
| 2007 | — | — | 48% | $3,500 |
| 2008 | $37,700 | — | 43% | $3,750 |
| 2009 | — | — | 46% | $4,271 |
| 2010 | $37,500 | $18,517 | 42% | $4,750 |
| 2011 | — | $18,720 | 42% | $5,336 |
| 2012 | $37,600 | $11,996 | 40% | $5,500 |
| 2013 | $36,700 | $11,276 | 43% | $5,527 |
| 2014 | $37,400 | $12,366 | 40% | $5,776 |
| 2015 | $38,300 | $11,831 | 38% | $6,519 |
| 2016 | — | $16,679 | 46% | $9,450 |
| 2017 | — | $28,255 | 31% | $12,993 |
| 2018 | — | $24,856 | 26% | $15,000 |
| 2019 | — | $24,148 | 30% | $14,800 |
| 2020 | — | $26,730 | 28% | $14,250 |
| 2021 | $45,378 | $26,668 | 28% | $14,750 |
| 2022 | — | $25,826 | 33% | — |
| 2023 | — | $24,422 | 43% | — |
| 2024 | — | $24,051 | 45% | — |
| 2025 | — | $22,715 | 42% | — |