Best Bachelor's Degree Programs at Columbia University in the City of New York by ROI
Every Bachelor's Degree major at Columbia University in the City of New York ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
26
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$65,342
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$86,042
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Computer Science.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$1,501,456 | $135,658 | $86,042 | $20,397 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Operations Research.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$1,068,412 | $112,629 | $86,042 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$806,052 | $99,511 | $86,042 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Chemical Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$650,372 | $91,727 | $86,042 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$650,312 | $92,534 | $86,042 | $12,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$526,122 | $87,202 | $86,042 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Mechanical Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$395,936 | $80,150 | $86,042 | $16,960 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Civil Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$359,772 | $77,197 | $86,042 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$198,632 | $69,140 | $86,042 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Biomedical/Medical Engineering.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$155,607 | $68,305 | $86,042 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Social Sciences, Other.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$29,292 | $62,428 | $86,042 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Political Science and Government.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$9,918 | $61,253 | $86,042 | $22,943 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Neurobiology and Neurosciences.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
+$4,762 | $61,269 | $86,042 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Sociology.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$125,618 | $55,020 | $86,042 | $31,000 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Sustainability Studies.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$162,442 | $52,306 | $86,042 | $18,070 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
History.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$218,828 | $49,752 | $86,042 | $22,000 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Area Studies.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$232,364 | $49,108 | $86,042 | $22,486 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
English Language and Literature, General.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$267,653 | $47,547 | $86,042 | $25,500 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Biology, General.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$273,962 | $46,853 | $86,042 | $19,892 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$275,606 | $46,697 | $86,042 | $18,799 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$302,345 | $45,458 | $86,042 | $20,250 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Research and Experimental Psychology.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$313,383 | $44,923 | $86,042 | $20,500 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Visual and Performing Arts, Other.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$442,998 | $38,879 | $86,042 | $26,971 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Anthropology.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$646,723 | $29,201 | $86,042 | $34,500 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Fine and Studio Arts.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$688,759 | $26,583 | $86,042 | $26,853 | Full ROI → |
| 26 |
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Grad rate: 95.1% |
-$707,068 | $23,855 | $86,042 | $0 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.