Claremont, CA · Private University
Is Pomona College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$77,779
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$62,326
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$62,326
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$249,304
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.25x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
93.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$11,782
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$19,424
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Pomona College graduates earn $32,779 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 Pomona College ranked by graduate earnings
19 graduates
24 graduates
16 graduates
18 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Pomona College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Pomona College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $143,084) and the lowest (Neurobiology and Neurosciences: $39,967) is $103,117/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI(1yr data) | $143,084 | 2.3x |
| Economics | $100,669 | 1.6x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $50,712 | 0.8x |
| Neurobiology and NeurosciencesLowest(1yr data) | $39,967 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pomona College | 1.25x | $77,779 | Average ROI |
| Claremont McKenna College | 1.63x | $104,736 | Good ROI |
| Colorado College | 0.96x | $65,222 | Below Average |
| Rice University | 1.54x | $89,718 | Good ROI |
| University of Southern California | 1.36x | $92,498 | Average ROI |
| Scripps College | 1.22x | $77,539 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Pomona College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $77,779 10 years after starting — $32,779 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.8 years — faster than most colleges.
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See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
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.