Computer Scienceat Columbia University in the City of New York
Graduates earn $118,636/yr in their first year — about 61.0% above the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,856K; scenarios range from $1,211K to $1,993K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Columbia University in the City of New York
The impressive earnings for Columbia CS graduates aren't just about a prestigious degree; they're a direct result of your location at the nexus of global finance and technology. You'll be aggressively recruited not only by Silicon Valley giants like Google and Meta, but also by Wall Street's top investment banks and hedge funds for high-stakes quantitative and FinTech roles. The program's deep theoretical foundations and proximity to world-class research labs position you for creating, not just using, next-generation AI systems. This is why the career paths lean toward architecture and research, not just coding. Your challenge won't be finding a job, but choosing the right one. To make the most of this, leverage the school's New York City location for a high-impact internship during the academic year—it will give you a critical edge even among other elite applicants.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Columbia University in the City of New York's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Computer Science
How Columbia University in the City of New York stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Columbia University in the City of New York
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Columbia University in the City of New York, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Computer Science at Columbia University in the City of New York
How does Columbia University in the City of New York's Computer Science program score?
A score of 79/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Columbia University in the City of New York's Computer Science graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 72% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Computer Science at Columbia University in the City of New York after financial aid?
Sticker price is $276,180, but the average net cost is $80,592 — a 71% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.