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Electrical Engineering at Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $84,019/yr (8% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)

ROI 3.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #211 of 262 Electrical programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$1,037K	$980K	$803K
Earnings Multiple	3.8x	3.5x	2.9x
Probability of Field Employment	78%	70%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	64	62	58

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)

$112,032

33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $84,019/yr, edging above the $77,516 national average for Electrical Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 3.5x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 23% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

A #211 ranking among 262 Electrical Engineering programs places Columbia University in the City of New York in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 33% earnings increase from $84,019 to $112,032 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Columbia University in the City of New York

Columbia University in the City of New York admits 4% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, 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

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr

Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Electrical Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Columbia University in the City of New York

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at Columbia University in the City of New York?

At 62/100, the score looks reasonable — but Electrical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

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

The 56% 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 Electrical Engineering 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 →