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Operations Research at Columbia University in the City of New York

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

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $110,457/yr (27% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (54% exposed)

Job Market Medium (22,200 openings/yr)

ROI 6.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #2 of 6 Operations Research programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$1,854K	$1,791K	$1,317K
Earnings Multiple	6.7x	6.5x	4.8x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	70%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	66	66	62

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

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$199,865

81% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $110,457 put Columbia University in the City of New York's Operations Research program 27% above the national median of $87,034 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

At 6.5x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 54% task exposure — and the 29% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With only 6 programs offering Operations Research nationally, this is a niche field. Columbia University in the City of New York ranks #2 among them.

Earnings growth from $110,457 to $199,865 over five years (81% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

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

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

Operations research analysts $91,290/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Operations Research at Other Schools

Other Majors at Columbia University in the City of New York

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Columbia University in the City of New York's Operations Research program score?

This program scores 66/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Operations Research graduates.

How vulnerable is Operations Research to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Operations Research careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 54% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

How affordable is Operations Research 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.

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