Columbia University in the City of New York
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Columbia University in the City of New York, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 21% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 98th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (NY wage index 1.10). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Columbia University in the City of New York
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $102,083 | $194,365 | +78% | #3 of 189 | #4 | — |
| Computer Science | $118,636 | $188,265 | +76% | #16 of 349 | #15 | $19,594 |
| Operations Research | $110,457 | $167,572 | +37% | — | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $84,019 | $143,332 | +42% | #6 of 258 | #7 | — |
| Economics | $83,135 | $137,710 | +67% | #13 of 368 | #14 | $25,000 |
| Mathematics | — | $117,252 | +69% | #13 of 309 | #15 | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | $72,036 | $111,491 | +21% | #10 of 318 | #32 | $10,057 |
| Civil Engineering | — | $108,246 | +25% | #3 of 233 | #3 | — |
| Sociology | $58,541 | $101,536 | +93% | #1 of 462 | #1 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $61,077 | $100,245 | +58% | #4 of 565 | #11 | $21,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | $99,679 | +88% | #5 of 476 | #4 | — |
| History | $53,828 | $98,079 | +94% | #6 of 459 | #4 | $21,500 |
| Area Studies | $41,479 | $96,884 | +71% | #2 of 70 | #2 | $21,636 |
| Applied Mathematics | $91,559 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $53,156 | $86,946 | +56% | #2 of 82 | #3 | $19,347 |
| Sustainability Studies | $53,957 | $85,545 | +48% | #1 of 17 | #1 | $18,070 |
| Anthropology | — | $83,493 | +79% | #1 of 188 | #3 | $32,250 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $33,893 | $70,244 | +12% | #17 of 67 | #17 | $24,812 |
| Social Sciences | $34,845 | $65,085 | +15% | #9 of 35 | #9 | $25,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $62,895 | — | — | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | $35,838 | $59,396 | +22% | #61 of 576 | #75 | $25,000 |
| Philosophy | $52,668 | $56,885 | +4% | #43 of 86 | #47 | $20,937 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $55,206 | $55,472 | +7% | #33 of 103 | #33 | $19,500 |
| Chemical Engineering | $55,154 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $54,327 | — | — | — | — | $20,250 |
| Biology | $40,935 | $53,698 | -6% | #572 of 841 | #690 | $20,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $51,435 | — | — | — | — | $27,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $36,244 | $47,702 | -2% | #66 of 137 | #81 | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | — | $46,535 | -2% | #6 of 10 | #7 | $26,985 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $34,658 | — | — | — | — | $21,065 |
| Music | $32,924 | — | — | — | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Columbia University in the City of New York Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $835,348
- Avg rent near campus: $3,962/mo — vs ~$1,160/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 10451 (6.9% cap, New York)
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🏆 Where Columbia University in the City of New York Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $64,526 | $64,526 |
| Room | $10,440 | |
| Board | $6,360 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $89,587 | $89,587 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Columbia University in the City of New York?
How much does it cost to attend Columbia University in the City of New York?
What is the graduation rate at Columbia University in the City of New York?
Is Columbia University in the City of New York a good school?
- Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (A+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (A+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Columbia University in the City of New York?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to Columbia University in the City of New York
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology