New York University vs Columbia University in the City of New York: which has better ROI?
Columbia University in the City of New York has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $86,360 in 1.6 years versus 4.3 years at New York University, on median earnings of $102,491 vs $82,509 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | New York University | Columbia University in the City of New York |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $37,050 | $21,590 |
| Total net cost | $148,200 | $86,360 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,509 | $102,491 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $534,780 | $996,260 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, New York University or Columbia University in the City of New York?
Columbia University in the City of New York, at $21,590 a year after aid versus $37,050 — a gap of $15,460 a year, or $61,840 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do New York University or Columbia University in the City of New York graduates earn more?
Columbia University in the City of New York graduates report a median $102,491 ten years after entry, $19,982 more than the $82,509 at New York University. 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, New York University or Columbia University in the City of New York?
New York University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Columbia University in the City of New York, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
96% of students finish at Columbia University in the City of New York, against 88% at New York University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.