CollegeCostWise

Bachelor's · New York, New York

Is Sustainability Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back fast: graduates typically recover the cost in about 1.7 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$86,016
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$91,886
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
$27,000
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$65k (likely $65k – $70k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$53k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in NY
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
1.7 years (likely 1.3–2.4)
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
$304k (likely $155k – $467k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
$891k (likely $581k – $1.22M)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
95%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Sustainability Studies at other schools

🔭 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward math & physical science majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Statistics
  • AP Physics C: Mechanics
  • AP Chemistry

IB Higher Level

  • Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL
  • Physics HL or Chemistry HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

Other majors at Columbia University in the City of New York

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