DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 120 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
CAMPUS · NEW YORK, NY · PRIVATE

Columbia University

Columbia University in the City of New York
4.2%
ACCEPT
01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Columbia University Graduate Earnings Overview

$88,535
Median Salary (6yr)
$102,491
Median Salary (10yr)
$21,500
Median Debt
4.8x
Earnings / Debt

Columbia University graduates earn a median of $102,491 ten years after enrollment against median debt of $21,500. Actual outcomes depend heavily on your chosen major.

Salary by Major at Columbia University

Earnings data by program, measured four years after graduation.

ProgramUS RankColumbia University SalaryNational MedianPremium
Computer Science $116,250 $75,000 +55%
Engineering $111,600 $72,000 +55%
Mathematics & Statistics $96,100 $62,000 +55%
Physical Sciences $74,400 $48,000 +55%
Architecture $74,400 $48,000 +55%
Social Sciences $69,750 $45,000 +55%
Biological Sciences $65,100 $42,000 +55%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies $65,100 $42,000 +55%
History $62,000 $40,000 +55%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics $58,900 $38,000 +55%
Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies $58,900 $38,000 +55%
Philosophy & Religious Studies $58,900 $38,000 +55%
Psychology $55,800 $36,000 +55%
English Language & Literature $55,800 $36,000 +55%
Liberal Arts & General Studies $54,250 $35,000 +55%
Visual & Performing Arts $52,700 $34,000 +55%

Most Popular Majors at Columbia University

What students actually study — percentage of degrees awarded by field.

Social Sciences
25.8%
Computer Science
14.1%
Engineering
10.7%
Biological Sciences
6.1%
Psychology
5.8%
Mathematics/Statistics
5.7%
History
5.3%
Visual/Performing Arts
4.8%
Foreign Languages
4.2%
English/Literature
4.2%
Ethnic/Cultural Studies
3.5%
Multidisciplinary
3.2%
Philosophy/Religion
3.0%
Physical Sciences
2.8%

Is Columbia University Worth It? The ROI Verdict

Columbia University delivers strong financial returns for most graduates.

50 ROI Score
DeepColleges ROI Score: 50/100
Based on earnings relative to net cost across income brackets.

Columbia University Programs & Graduate Salary

Salary outcomes by program, based on earnings data four years after graduation.

ProgramUS RankColumbia University SalaryNational MedianPremium
Computer Science $116,250 $75,000 +55%
Engineering $111,600 $72,000 +55%
Mathematics & Statistics $96,100 $62,000 +55%
Physical Sciences $74,400 $48,000 +55%
Architecture $74,400 $48,000 +55%
Social Sciences $69,750 $45,000 +55%
Biological Sciences $65,100 $42,000 +55%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies $65,100 $42,000 +55%
History $62,000 $40,000 +55%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics $58,900 $38,000 +55%
Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies $58,900 $38,000 +55%
Philosophy & Religious Studies $58,900 $38,000 +55%
Psychology $55,800 $36,000 +55%
English Language & Literature $55,800 $36,000 +55%
Liberal Arts & General Studies $54,250 $35,000 +55%
Visual & Performing Arts $52,700 $34,000 +55%

Columbia University Salary & ROI FAQs

What do Columbia University graduates actually earn?
Columbia University graduates earn a median of $102,491 10 years post-graduation, up from $88,535 at 6 years out. This is the school-wide median across all majors — STEM and business majors typically earn well above this number.
Which majors at Columbia University have the highest salary?
Top-earning majors at Columbia University include Computer Science ($116,250); Engineering ($111,600); Mathematics & Statistics ($96,100). Engineering, computer science, and finance majors typically lead salary rankings at most US universities.
Is a Columbia University degree worth the cost?
A 4-year Columbia University degree costs about $60,092 for the average family (after aid). Median grads earn $102,491/yr at 10 years out — meaning most graduates pay back the cost within a few years of full-time work.
How much debt do Columbia University students graduate with?
Median federal loan debt for Columbia University graduates is $21,500. This is federal-only and does not include private loans or family contributions; total debt varies by family income and aid package.
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More About Columbia University

Columbia University Acceptance Rate Columbia University Tuition & Cost Transfer to Columbia University Columbia University Salary & ROI Columbia University AP Credit Best Majors at Columbia University Columbia University Housing International at Columbia University

Other Colleges in NY

Barnard College
8.0% accept · New York
Cornell University
8.2% accept · Ithaca
New York University (NYU)
9.4% accept · New York
Hamilton College
11.8% accept · Clinton
Colgate University
11.9% accept · Hamilton
Vassar College
17.7% accept · Poughkeepsie

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. Columbia University is not affiliated with DeepColleges.