Columbia University Among Nation's Best Value Despite $72K Cost

Adam Nichols
The Ivy League school was included in a best value list published by the Princeton Review.

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Columbia University has been ranked as one of the nation's best value universities — despite figures released last year showing the estimated annual cost to attend the Ivy League school is $72,627.

The Princeton Review on Tuesday released its annual list of the 200 best value colleges that provide an “exceptional” return on investment.

Columbia ranks in 14th place, with it also coming in at no. 17 for its record of placing graduates in the best careers. Its annual cost was estimated by the business and personal finance publication Kiplinger.

Only two other New York City schools made the top 50 — the only spots that get ranking numbers in the survey. The remaining 150 schools are listed but not numbered.

The other top 50 schools in the city were The Cooper Union of College for the Advancement of Science and Art, which came in at number 9, and CUNY's Baruch College which took 48th position.

Princeton Review's annual list has seven ranking lists that each focus on different aspects of financial aid and career prep. It’s meant to help applicants find affordable colleges that are academically outstanding and lead to rewarding careers.

It selected the 200 schools based on data from surveys of administrators at more than 650 colleges in 2017-18. The schools were asked about topics including academics, cost, financial aid, career services, graduation rates, student debt and alumni support.

The list also took into account student and alumni interviews. They were asked about starting and mid-career salaries and job satisfaction.

“Only 7 percent of the nation’s four-year colleges made it into this book,” lead author Robert Franek said.

“We salute them for their stellar academics and generous aid awards to students based on need and/or merit. They also provide their undergrads with career services from day one plus strong networks of alumni connections.”

Other New York City schools that made the list but weren't ranked are:

  • Brooklyn / City University of New York –Brooklyn College

  • New York / Barnard College

  • New York / City University of New York – City College

  • New York / City University of New York – Hunter College

  • Queens / City University of New York – Queens College

Read Princeton's full report here.

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.

Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images News/Getty Images