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Head-to-head comparison

Columbia University in the City of New York vs CUNY York College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New York NY · vs · Public, Jamaica NY

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A New York, NY

Columbia University in the City of New York

Net price / year
$21,590
Earnings, 10 years
$102,491
Payback
1.6 yrs

Option B Jamaica, NY

CUNY York College

Net price / year
$4,456
Earnings, 10 years
$56,945
Payback
2.1 yrs
The verdict

Columbia University in the City of New York has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $86,360 in 1.6 years versus 2.1 years at CUNY York College, on median earnings of $102,491 vs $56,945 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureColumbia University in the City of New YorkCUNY York College
Net price / yr$21,590$4,456
Total net cost$86,360$17,824
Median earnings, 10 yrs$102,491$56,945
Median debt$21,500$11,000
Payback1.6 yrs2.1 yrs
20-year net return$996,260$153,876

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY York College?

CUNY York College, at $4,456 a year after aid versus $21,590 — a gap of $17,134 a year, or $68,536 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY York College graduates earn more?

Columbia University in the City of New York graduates report a median $102,491 ten years after entry, $45,546 more than the $56,945 at CUNY York College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY York College?

CUNY York College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Columbia University in the City of New York, a difference of $10,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

96% of students finish at Columbia University in the City of New York, against 32% at CUNY York College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Columbia University in the City of New York vs CUNY York College: frequently asked questions

Is Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY York College a better value?
Columbia University in the City of New York. It clears its $86,360 net cost in about 1.6 years versus 2.1 years at CUNY York College, on median earnings of $102,491 vs $56,945 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY York College?
CUNY York College: $4,456/yr net price after aid versus $21,590/yr at Columbia University in the City of New York — a difference of $17,134 a year, or about $68,536 over four years.
Do Columbia University in the City of New York or CUNY York College graduates earn more?
Columbia University in the City of New York graduates earn a median $102,491 ten years after entry, versus $56,945 at CUNY York College — a $45,546 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.