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Head-to-head comparison

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

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

Helene Fuld College of Nursing

Net price / year
$47,181
Earnings, 10 years
$111,027
Payback
1.5 yrs
The verdict

Helene Fuld College of Nursing has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $94,362 in 1.5 years versus 1.6 years at Columbia University in the City of New York, on median earnings of $111,027 vs $102,491 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureColumbia University in the City of New YorkHelene Fuld College of Nursing
Net price / yr$21,590$47,181
Total net cost$86,360$94,362
Median earnings, 10 yrs$102,491$111,027
Median debt$21,500$15,250
Payback1.6 yrs1.5 yrs
20-year net return$996,260$1,158,978

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 Helene Fuld College of Nursing?

Columbia University in the City of New York, at $21,590 a year after aid versus $47,181 — a gap of $25,591 a year, or $8,002 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 Helene Fuld College of Nursing graduates earn more?

Helene Fuld College of Nursing graduates report a median $111,027 ten years after entry, $8,536 more than the $102,491 at Columbia University in the City of New York. 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 Helene Fuld College of Nursing?

Helene Fuld College of Nursing: its completers carry a median $15,250 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Columbia University in the City of New York, a difference of $6,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Columbia University in the City of New York vs Helene Fuld College of Nursing: frequently asked questions

Is Columbia University in the City of New York or Helene Fuld College of Nursing a better value?
Helene Fuld College of Nursing. It clears its $94,362 net cost in about 1.5 years versus 1.6 years at Columbia University in the City of New York, on median earnings of $111,027 vs $102,491 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Columbia University in the City of New York or Helene Fuld College of Nursing?
Columbia University in the City of New York: $21,590/yr net price after aid versus $47,181/yr at Helene Fuld College of Nursing — a difference of $25,591 a year, or about $8,002 over four years.
Do Columbia University in the City of New York or Helene Fuld College of Nursing graduates earn more?
Helene Fuld College of Nursing graduates earn a median $111,027 ten years after entry, versus $102,491 at Columbia University in the City of New York — a $8,536 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.