Pomona, CA · Private University
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$71,902
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,439
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,319
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$77,276
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.72x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
66.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$16,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$11,580
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates earn $26,902 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ranked by graduate earnings
44 graduates
244 graduates
146 graduates
243 graduates
109 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, the gap between the highest-earning major (Construction Engineering Technologies: $97,515) and the lowest (Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics: $27,657) is $69,858/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Engineering TechnologiesBest ROI | $97,515 | 5.0x |
| Computer Science | $92,118 | 4.8x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $91,245 | 4.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,872 | 4.7x |
| Computer Engineering | $88,988 | 4.6x |
| Chemical Engineering | $88,952 | 4.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $88,722 | 4.6x |
| Industrial Engineering | $86,122 | 4.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $84,701 | 4.4x |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $83,569 | 4.3x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $82,911 | 4.3x |
| Architecture | $73,603 | 3.8x |
| Landscape Architecture | $70,272 | 3.6x |
| Biotechnology | $70,089 | 3.6x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $65,673 | 3.4x |
| City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning | $64,621 | 3.3x |
| Mathematics | $64,374 | 3.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $64,243 | 3.3x |
| Food Science and Technology | $62,994 | 3.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $62,832 | 3.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $56,462 | 2.9x |
| Geography and Cartography | $52,882 | 2.7x |
| Physics | $51,682 | 2.7x |
| Economics | $51,639 | 2.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,544 | 2.7x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $50,462 | 2.6x |
| Chemistry | $50,289 | 2.6x |
| Music | $50,200 | 2.6x |
| Biology, General | $49,581 | 2.6x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $49,406 | 2.6x |
| Sociology | $48,434 | 2.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $45,750 | 2.4x |
| Animal Sciences | $45,225 | 2.3x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $44,473 | 2.3x |
| Plant Sciences | $43,825 | 2.3x |
| History | $43,636 | 2.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,398 | 2.3x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $42,110 | 2.2x |
| Psychology, General | $41,701 | 2.2x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $40,437 | 2.1x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $40,019 | 2.1x |
| Anthropology | $34,551 | 1.8x |
| Nutrition Sciences(1yr data) | $34,384 | 1.8x |
| Education, Other(1yr data) | $31,250 | 1.6x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsLowest(1yr data) | $27,657 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $71,902 10 years after starting, $26,902 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.1 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.