by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a Columbia degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how Columbia measures up.
Columbia is ranked #1,669 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within New York, it ranks #86 of 216 for value.
These Columbia majors earned the highest value rankings from College Factual.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| General Operations Research | #4 of 6 |
| Operations Research | #4 of 6 |
| Engineering | #4 of 6 |
| Other Visual & Performing Arts | #7 of 15 |
| Other Visual Art | #7 of 15 |
| Bachelor's Degree | #7 of 15 |
| Ethnic Studies | #9 of 11 |
| General Classics & Classical Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics | #9 of 16 |
| Classical Languages & Literature | #9 of 16 |
| Foreign Language | #9 of 16 |
Below is the detailed Columbia value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Columbia University in the City of New York is ranked #3 out of #236 in New York for quality and #86 out of #216 for New York value.
Do you qualify for in-state tuition? Check the Columbia financial aid page to be sure.
Columbia University in the City of New York is ranked #1,669 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, Columbia University in the City of New York is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at Columbia costs about $51,484. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $205,934 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $89,530 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $21,590 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $51,484 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $205,934 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the Columbia net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What Columbia costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a Columbia degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $358,120 | — | — |
| All Students | $205,934 | #1,669 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $86,360 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $358,120 | — | — |
| All Students | $205,934 | #86 | D |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $86,360 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at Columbia shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $6,342 |
| $30K–$48K | $4,975 |
| $48K–$75K | $5,195 |
| $75K–$110K | $15,368 |
| Over $110K | $44,695 |
About 56% of Columbia undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $55,902 per year. Get more details on the Columbia financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual calculates value by comparing the average Columbia cost of a degree against other schools of a similar quality. If the school is priced fairly for the educational quality it provides, it receives a fair ranking; if it is underpriced, it earns a good or excellent value.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.