Behavioral Sciences at Columbia College

Four years after graduation, behavioral sciences majors from Columbia College are earning $33,045—roughly $2,400 less than they did in their first year out. This backward trajectory matters because it coincides with debt payments coming due on an estimated $33,539 borrowed, about $6,600 above the national median for this degree. Based on comparable programs nationwide, first-year earnings of around $35,410 typically produce a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio just under 1.0, but that assumes income grows rather than contracts.

The problem isn't just the debt load—it's what happens afterward. Most bachelor's degree holders see steady income growth in their twenties, yet this program's graduates appear to be earning less at the four-year mark than at graduation. Whether this reflects career path changes, further schooling, or labor market challenges in Columbia, it suggests the initial post-graduation period doesn't provide the financial momentum needed to comfortably service these loans. With more than half of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on upward income mobility that these numbers don't yet show.

If your child is set on behavioral sciences, the declining earnings pattern demands explanation. Before committing, find out what graduates are actually doing four years out and whether this dip is temporary or structural.