California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, California · Public · 75.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 89/100 · Strong Value
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,780/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,380/yr |
| Average net price | $11,531/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $46,124 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $71,902 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $16,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $170 |
| Estimated payback period | 5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 68.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 25,042 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,851 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,433 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,734 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,894 |
| $110,001+ | $20,716 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,954 | B+ |
| Psychology | $49,747 | C+ |
| Civil Engineering | $97,790 | A |
| Computer Science | $103,494 | B+ |
| Sociology | $52,694 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $99,148 | A |
| Biology | $61,688 | C+ |
| Hospitality Administration | $57,114 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,278 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $53,024 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is $7,780/year ($20,380/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $11,531/year, or roughly $46,124 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,851/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,716/year.
The median graduate leaves with $16,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $170 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $71,902 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.37 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 77.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 81.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 77.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 79.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 75.2% |
| Enrollment | 25,042 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 46.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,943 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (this school) | 89 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | 88 | $16,778 | $69,020 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | 85 | $10,974 | $68,740 |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 83 | $15,300 | $63,126 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $11,531 per year ($46,124 over four years), graduates earn a median of $71,902 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 68.4% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $16,000 is very manageable against $71,902 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.