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Social Sciences Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Social Sciences, Other

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,845/yr (-6% vs median)

AI Risk High (33% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (111,400 openings/yr)

ROI 2.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #22 of 33 Social Sciences, Other programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Social Sciences Studies graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$793K	$768K	$701K
Earnings Multiple	2.9x	2.8x	2.5x
Probability of Field Employment	62%	57%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	33	41

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

$25,000

8.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$76,126

118% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,845 track close to the $37,190 national median for Social Sciences Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Social Sciences Studies's typical career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $34,845 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #22 of 33 Social Sciences Studies programs, Columbia University in the City of New York falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $76,126 show a 118% jump from the $34,845 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

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, with a mid-sized student body of 8,899 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

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr

Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other $75,040/yr

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

Compare & Explore

Social Sciences Studies 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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Sciences Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York?

A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Social Sciences Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Social Sciences Studies careers?

With 33% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $700,602 in decade earnings vs $792,504 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Columbia University in the City of New York a hidden gem for Social Sciences Studies?

After financial aid, the average student pays $80,592 over four years — 71% below the $276,180 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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