Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Columbia University in the City of New York

Columbia's electrical engineering program produces strong outcomes—$84,000 starting salary and just $12,000 in debt—but the small sample size here means you're looking at data from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers may not represent what your child will experience. That said, the debt load is exceptional, sitting in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning only 5% of programs carry less debt), and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.14 suggests graduates can realistically pay off loans within months rather than years.

Within New York, though, this program lands at the 60th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack. Cornell leads the state at $100,000+ starting salaries, while Syracuse and Rochester match or slightly exceed Columbia's numbers. The national 91st percentile ranking is impressive, but that reflects more about the strength of New York engineering programs generally than about Columbia's particular edge. The 15% earnings growth to $96,500 by year four is healthy but not exceptional for this field.

The real question is whether Columbia's 4% admission rate and Ivy prestige justify the investment when comparable engineering outcomes exist at less selective schools. If your child is admitted, the minimal debt makes this a safe bet financially. But the earnings data—limited as it is—doesn't suggest Columbia's engineering brand commands the premium you might expect over Syracuse or Rochester.