Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York

Columbia's Ethnic and Gender Studies program produces first-year graduates earning $55,206—nearly double both the New York state median ($29,823) and national median ($31,459) for this field. This places it at the 95th percentile among similar programs nationwide and within New York, dramatically outperforming even strong public options like CUNY Lehman ($36,292). With $18,799 in debt (lower than both state and national averages), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 is manageable, representing roughly 4 months of salary.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: median pay drops 15% to $46,697 by year four. This likely reflects the career paths graduates pursue—many enter nonprofit, advocacy, or public sector roles where passion matters more than pay. However, even at the lower four-year mark, Columbia graduates still earn significantly above their peers elsewhere, suggesting the Columbia network and credential maintain value even in lower-paying sectors.

For families who can afford Columbia's price tag (though 23% of students receive Pell grants, indicating meaningful financial aid), this program offers something rare: the ability to pursue mission-driven work while still earning considerably more than peers from other schools. The earnings decline matters less when you start from a strong position and carry substantially less debt than typical graduates in this field.