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Is Columbia University in the City of New York worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Columbia University in the City of New York, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Affordable
Columbia University in the City of New York lands in the affordable band for a typical family. Graduates earn a median of $102,491 ten years after enrolling, and that makes the median debt of $21,500 more manageable than it looks at first glance. For context, Columbia University in the City of New York's net price is about 9% below the typical 4-year, private nonprofit school. On the numbers alone, this school clears the bar comfortably.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 1237 similar 4-year, private nonprofit schools
This school
$20,869
/yrAverage school like this
$22,837
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $1,968 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $8,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
Graduation and earnings data create a stronger long-run payoff picture.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$21,590
Median earnings 10 years out
$102,491
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
Graduation rate
96%
At Columbia University in the City of New York, a typical graduate carries about $21,500 in student debt and earns roughly $102,491 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $244 per month, or 3% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private nonprofit four year school in New York, NY. Private pricing can swing more dramatically based on aid, so your personalized score matters more here than the national average view alone.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Private nonprofit 4-year
University of Mount Saint Vincent
Bronx, NY
Worth-It Score: 65/100
Median net price: $21,696
Private nonprofit 4-year
Manhattanville
Purchase, NY
Worth-It Score: 61/100
Median net price: $20,991
Private nonprofit 4-year
Le Moyne
Syracuse, NY
Worth-It Score: 69/100
Median net price: $22,277
Private nonprofit 4-year
Elmira
Elmira, NY
Worth-It Score: 62/100
Median net price: $22,386
Private nonprofit 4-year
New York Institute of Technology
Old Westbury, NY
Worth-It Score: 67/100
Median net price: $22,443
Common questions about Columbia University in the City of New York
The median net price at Columbia University in the City of New York is $21,590 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at private colleges options in New York? See the most affordable private colleges in New York →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →