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Biology at Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,935/yr (27% vs median)

AI Risk High (40% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

ROI 2.3x earnings multiple

Ranked #476 of 822 Biology, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$640K	$630K	$570K
Earnings Multiple	2.3x	2.3x	2.1x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	45%	35%
DegreeOutlook Score	36	36	33

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$276,180

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$80,592

71% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,000

5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$69,310

69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,935 put Columbia University in the City of New York's Biology program 27% above the national median of $32,219 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

At 2.3x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Biology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $40,935 far exceeding the $20,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #476 ranking among 822 Biology programs places Columbia University in the City of New York in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $40,935-to-$69,310 earnings arc over five years reflects a 69% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Columbia University in the City of New York

Columbia University in the City of New York's 4% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, enrolling 8,899 students in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $80,592 over four years — 71% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia University in the City of New York →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr

Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr

View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Columbia University in the City of New York

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biology at Columbia University in the City of New York?

At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Biology at Columbia University in the City of New York?

The 40% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

What do students actually pay for Biology at Columbia University in the City of New York?

The 71% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $276,180. At a net cost of $80,592, the earnings multiple improves substantially.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →