Columbia University in the City of New York vs Helene Fuld College of Nursing: which has better ROI?
Helene Fuld College of Nursing has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $94,362 in 1.5 years versus 1.6 years at Columbia University in the City of New York, on median earnings of $111,027 vs $102,491 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Columbia University in the City of New York | Helene Fuld College of Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,590 | $47,181 |
| Total net cost | $86,360 | $94,362 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $102,491 | $111,027 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $15,250 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 1.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $996,260 | $1,158,978 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Columbia University in the City of New York or Helene Fuld College of Nursing?
Columbia University in the City of New York, at $21,590 a year after aid versus $47,181 — a gap of $25,591 a year, or $8,002 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Columbia University in the City of New York or Helene Fuld College of Nursing graduates earn more?
Helene Fuld College of Nursing graduates report a median $111,027 ten years after entry, $8,536 more than the $102,491 at Columbia University in the City of New York. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Columbia University in the City of New York or Helene Fuld College of Nursing?
Helene Fuld College of Nursing: its completers carry a median $15,250 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Columbia University in the City of New York, a difference of $6,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.