Columbia University in the City of New York

What are the graduation rates for students at Columbia University in the City of New York?

Columbia University in the City of New York boasts exceptionally high graduation rates, positioning it among the top institutions nationally. The overall graduation rate stands at 95%, which is considered very high and places the university in the top 5% percentile. This strong performance is consistent across gender, with 94% of men and 96% of women completing their studies.

Graduation rates reflect students' successful completion of their programs, and Columbia maintains an impressive four-year graduation rate of 80%, indicating that a significant majority finish their degrees within the traditional timeframe. Furthermore, the six-year graduation rate also reaches 95%, again ranked very high and within the top 5% nationally, demonstrating sustained student success and retention beyond the average period.

Retention rates at Columbia are equally notable, with a very high 97% of first-year students returning for their second year. This retention figure places the university in the top 10% percentile, signaling strong student satisfaction and institutional support during critical early stages of college life.

These rates underscore Columbia University's commitment to academic achievement and student persistence, providing prospective students with a reliable indication of the institution's supportive environment and effective educational programming.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Columbia University in the City of New York?

Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York experience a wide range of earning potentials depending on their chosen field of study. Among the highest earners are those with degrees in Computer Science, who report average salaries around $108,903. Engineering-related disciplines also offer strong financial prospects, with Mechanical Engineering graduates earning approximately $69,826 and Civil Engineering graduates making close to $69,428. Chemical Engineering alumni enjoy salaries near $65,500, while those specialized in Operations Research average $87,327 annually.

In the realm of mathematics and statistics, graduates see substantial compensation, particularly in Mathematics with average earnings of about $72,988 and Applied Mathematics around $71,727. Economics majors also tend to do well, earning approximately $73,902 on average.

Those pursuing languages and humanities report moderate incomes, such as graduates in Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages with an average of $62,257, Romance Languages at $45,021, and Political Science and Government at $52,096. Sociology graduates also fare moderately with earnings near $53,374. Research and Experimental Psychology offers an average income of $41,906, while Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies offer about $41,618.

Degrees in the biological sciences and related fields show more varied earnings. Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates earn roughly $40,198, and Biomedical/Medical Engineering graduates average about $46,324. Sustainability Studies sees incomes near $46,855.

Graduates in the arts generally have lower earning outcomes, with Fine and Studio Arts reporting around $36,885, Visual and Performing Arts approximately $37,826, and Anthropology at $28,302. English Language and Literature graduates earn about $38,726, and Philosophy about $38,546.

The earning potential underscores the strong financial advantage of STEM and economics-related degrees at Columbia University in the City of New York, contrasted with more modest incomes typically associated with the humanities and arts fields.