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Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, New York · Private Non-Profit

Avg Earnings (5yr)

$88,535

Acceptance Rate

4%

Graduation Rate

95%

Annual Tuition

$69,045

Quick answer

According to U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data on USACollegeData.com (2024-25 College Scorecard release), graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of $102,491 ten years after entry — 89% above the national median. Acceptance rate 4.2%, average SAT score 1553, in-state tuition $69,045.

At a Glance

Total Students

8,899

Retention Rate

97%

Faculty Ratio

6

Financial Aid

14%

Median Debt

$21,500

Campus Setting

City

Institution Type

Private Non-Profit

Admissions: SAT & ACT Scores

Average SAT Score

1,553

SAT Reading/Writing (middle 50%)

740–780

SAT Math (middle 50%)

770–800

ACT Composite (middle 50%)

34–35

Institution Overview

Columbia University is a private, non-profit institution in New York City with an acceptance rate of 4.2%. The university has a student body of 8,899 and a high graduation rate of 95.1%. The retention rate is 97.2%. The cost of tuition for in-state students is $69,045.

Graduates of Columbia University report strong earnings after graduation. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $75,228. Five years after graduation, median earnings rise to $88,535, and ten years after graduation, median earnings are $102,491. The median debt for students is $21,500, and 14.4% of students receive financial aid.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

Earning Projection Over Time

$75k

1 YEAR

$89k

5 YEARS

$102k

10 YEARS

Top 2% in Earnings

Graduate Outcomes

One year after graduation, Columbia University alumni earn a median salary of $75,228. Five years after graduation, median earnings increase to $88,535, and ten years after graduation, median earnings reach $102,491. The median debt for graduates is $21,500, and 14.4% of students receive financial aid.

Columbia University has a high retention rate of 97.2% and a graduation rate of 95.1%. The university has a low acceptance rate of 4.2% and a student population of 8,899. The in-state tuition is $69,045.

Popular Programs

Top performing degrees based on enrollment and outcome data.

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

Graduates 1,623 / yr
Median Salary $197,821

Public Health

Graduates 638 / yr
Median Salary $74,444

Statistics

Graduates 582 / yr
Median Salary $122,051

Economics

Graduates 528 / yr
Median Salary $83,135

Social Work

Graduates 528 / yr
Median Salary $59,891

Public Administration

Graduates 458 / yr
Median Salary $89,478

Operations Research

Graduates 432 / yr
Median Salary $110,457

Law

Graduates 428 / yr
Median Salary $220,843

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Graduates 374 / yr
Median Salary $144,980

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Graduates 349 / yr
Median Salary $129,227

Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies

Graduates 338 / yr
Median Salary $220,853

Political Science and Government

Graduates 330 / yr
Median Salary $61,077

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

Graduates 288 / yr
Median Salary $124,969

Journalism

Graduates 259 / yr
Median Salary $54,170

History

Graduates 248 / yr
Median Salary $53,828

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

Graduates 248 / yr
Median Salary $78,660

Architectural Sciences and Technology

Graduates 244 / yr
Median Salary $58,580

Mechanical Engineering

Graduates 241 / yr
Median Salary $104,503

International Relations and National Security Studies

Graduates 194 / yr
Median Salary $80,448

Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology

Graduates 191 / yr
Median Salary $100,512

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Graduates 188 / yr
Median Salary $182,930

Social Sciences, Other

Graduates 182 / yr
Median Salary $72,024

Biomedical/Medical Engineering

Graduates 173 / yr
Median Salary $86,161

English Language and Literature, General

Graduates 172 / yr
Median Salary $35,838

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Campus Location

New York, New York

New York, NY 10027

Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, New York. The campus is in a city setting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Columbia University in the City of New York has an acceptance rate of 4.2%.