Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. — ROI at Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data
Financial Breakdown for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. at Columbia University in the City of New York
Net Annual Cost
$86,042
After grants & scholarships
Median Earnings
$58,394
Median salary after graduation
Net Debt
$37,186
After personal savings applied
20-Year Net ROI Projection
Gross Earnings (20 years)
$58,394 × 20 years
+$1,167,880
Total 1-Year Cost
$86,042 × 1 years
−$86,042
Estimated Debt Payoff ⓘ Includes estimated interest over a standard 10-year repayment plan.
$37,186 principal × 1.35 (interest)
−$50,201
Baseline Opportunity Cost ⓘ The estimated earnings you would make with a high school diploma over 20 years ($42,000/yr), which you forfeit while studying.
$42,000 median no-degree salary × 20 years
−$840,000
20-Year Net ROI
+$191,636
Graduation Rate
95.1%
of students complete their degree
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How we calculate ROI
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings − Total 1-Year Cost − Estimated Debt Payoff − Baseline Opportunity Cost
Baseline assumes $42,000/yr median earnings without a college degree. Debt payoff uses a 1.35× multiplier to account for interest over a standard repayment period.
Data sourced from the U.S. College Scorecard.