Columbia University in the City of New York
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$276,180
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$53,535/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
288%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Columbia University's high tuition cost of $69,045 is offset by strong earnings potential for graduates. One year after graduation, the median salary is $75,228, exceeding the tuition cost. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $88,535, and after ten years, graduates earn a median of $102,491.
The median debt for Columbia graduates is $21,500. With a one-year post-graduation salary of $75,228, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.29. This indicates a manageable debt burden relative to earnings.
Given the high starting salaries, the break-even point for tuition investment is less than one year. The high earnings potential and relatively low median debt suggest a favorable return on investment for Columbia University graduates.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$69,045
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$88,535
Graduation Rate
95%
Receive Financial Aid
14%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | $276,180 | $106,922 | 421% |
| Statistics. | $276,180 | $156,244 | 778% |
| Social Work. | $276,180 | $65,618 | 122% |
| Public Administration. | $276,180 | $97,557 | 353% |
| Law. | $276,180 | $280,926 | 1681% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $276,180 | $124,522 | 548% |
| Public Health. | $276,180 | $89,304 | 293% |
| Economics. | $276,180 | $117,355 | 496% |
| Operations Research. | $276,180 | $163,913 | 834% |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | $276,180 | $0 | N/A |
| Public Health. | $276,180 | $83,362 | 250% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $276,180 | $131,677 | 600% |
Peer Comparison
288%
20yr ROI
333%
20yr ROI
0%
20yr ROI
300%
20yr ROI
342%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.