CAMPUS · NEW YORK, NY · PRIVATE

Columbia University

Columbia University in the City of New York

4.2%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Columbia University Majors Overview: Salary, Courses & Career Outcomes

Every major at Columbia University with graduate salary, course catalog depth, and career preparation data.

#	Major	US Rank	Columbia University Salary	National Median	Premium	Degrees/Year	Courses
1	Computer Science	—	$116,250	$75,000	+55%	365	3
Featured Courses: COMS 4160: or Barnard COMS 3160BC may be taken for credit COMS 4705: or Barnard COMS 3705BC may be taken for credit COMS 3134: ). COMS 3770 is recommended for students who wish to refresh their math background
2	Engineering	—	$111,600	$72,000	+55%	308	—
3	Mathematics & Statistics	—	$96,100	$62,000	+55%	113	—
4	Physical Sciences	—	$74,400	$48,000	+55%	67	3
Featured Courses: BC 1753: You cannot enroll in both courses and receive credit for both BC 1754: and UN 1404: are separate courses, students are expected to take both terms sequentially
5	Architecture	—	$74,400	$48,000	+55%	15	—
6	Social Sciences	—	$69,750	$45,000	+55%	647	8
Featured Courses: UN 3040: replaces the two semester sequence of 3040/4041 Anthropological Theory I/II) ECON 2000: level electives ECON 3000: and 4000-level electives GR 6101: Issues in Political Theory GR 6210: 6211: Issues and Debates in American Politics
7	Biological Sciences	—	$65,100	$42,000	+55%	169	1
Featured Courses: BIOL 3700: will provide an opportunity for students interested in independent research work in a hospital or hospice setting
8	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	—	$65,100	$42,000	+55%	86	—
9	History	—	$62,000	$40,000	+55%	118	1
Featured Courses: STATES 1940: 1975.
10	Foreign Languages & Linguistics	—	$58,900	$38,000	+55%	79	5
Featured Courses: FREN 3405: prior to this course GERM 3333: ) or an equivalent class LING 3102: Endangered Languages in the Global City LING 4376: Phonetics ＆ Phonology This course provides training in linguistic fieldwork for language documentation and description LING 3101: Introduction to Linguistics
11	Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies	—	$58,900	$38,000	+55%	61	3
Featured Courses: CHNS 1101: FIRST YEAR CHINESE I and fulfill the requirement for admission to CHNS 1102 FIRST YEAR CHINESE II UN 2915: ), Societies and Cultures across the Indian Ocean (UN 3445), or some equivalent (check with me) MDES 1713: , equivalent two years of Persian or the instructor's permission
12	Philosophy & Religious Studies	—	$58,900	$38,000	+55%	58	—
13	Psychology	—	$55,800	$36,000	+55%	124	—
14	English Language & Literature	—	$55,800	$36,000	+55%	98	2
Featured Courses: ENGL 2000: Approaches to Literary Study ENGL 3001: Literary Texts and Critical Methods
15	Liberal Arts & General Studies	—	$54,250	$35,000	+55%	5	—
16	Visual & Performing Arts	—	$52,700	$34,000	+55%	101	3
Featured Courses: BC 3601: DNCE BC 3607 requires an audition usually scheduled for the first week of classes UN 2021: is a required co-requisite

Career Path Match at Columbia University 🎖️ DeepColleges Exclusive

How many courses at Columbia University align with each career direction. More relevant courses mean better preparation for your target career.

International Relations & Diplomacy 2

GR 6411: 6412: Comparative Politics Survey I and II GR 6801: Theories of International Relations

Linguistics & Translation 2

LING 3101: Introduction to Linguistics LING 4376: Phonetics ＆ Phonology This course provides training in linguistic fieldwork for language documentation and description

Film & Video Production 1

SPRING 1968: FILM ＆ LIT

Sociology & Anthropology 1

LING 4376: Phonetics ＆ Phonology This course provides training in linguistic fieldwork for language documentation and description

Highest & Lowest ROI Majors at Columbia University

Highest-Earning Majors

Computer Science

$116,250/yr

Engineering

$111,600/yr

Mathematics & Statistics

$96,100/yr

Lowest-Earning Majors

Visual & Performing Arts

$52,700/yr

Liberal Arts & General Studies

$54,250/yr

English Language & Literature

$55,800/yr

Popular Majors at Columbia University

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

25.8%

Computer Science

14.1%

Engineering

10.7%

Biological Sciences

6.1%

Psychology

5.8%

Best Majors at Columbia University →

Columbia University Majors FAQs

What are the most popular majors at Columbia University?

Columbia University's most popular majors by share of degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (25.8%), Computer Science (14.1%), Engineering (10.7%). The full ranking by graduate salary is in the table above.

Which major at Columbia University pays the most?

The highest-earning major at Columbia University is Computer Science, with a median 4-year-out salary of $116,250 — well above the school-wide median of $102,491.

Are some majors at Columbia University harder to get into than others?

Yes. Columbia University's overall acceptance rate is 4.2%, but selective programs (computer science, business, engineering, nursing) often admit at lower rates than the school-wide average. Check program-specific admission stats where available.

Should I pick my major based on salary at Columbia University?

Salary should be one factor, not the only one. Major choice impacts earnings (engineering and CS typically lead) but career fit, course interest, and graduation-rate within the major also matter. The salary table above shows the median pay by program at Columbia University.