Westmont College
Santa Barbara, California · Private Nonprofit · 77.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 65/100 · Fair Value
Westmont College, a selective Christian liberal-arts college in Santa Barbara, scores 65 -- comfortably in the Fair Value tier and one of the higher scores in this batch. The fundamentals are strong across the board: completion is 70.4% (sub-score 79), three-year repayment is 86.3% (sub-score 88), and the payback period is just 8.6 years (sub-score 71). Median earnings of $38,600 at six years climb sharply to $64,778 by ten years -- one of the strongest mid-career growth curves in this set, reflecting graduates moving into established Southern California careers. Median debt of $23,250 against those earnings produces a 0.602 debt-to-earnings ratio (sub-score 50). Sticker tuition is steep at $53,584, but net price is $29,053 -- substantial institutional discounting averages 46%. Four-year cost is $116,212. The 20% Pell rate reflects a mostly upper-middle-class student body. With 1,302 students, Westmont delivers a small-college residential experience with strong outcomes in business information systems, computer/IS, communications, and a notable biology program (graduates earning $75K+ at year four). The financial case works -- this is one of the more defensible small-private Christian liberal-arts buys.
Westmont College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $53,584/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $53,584/yr |
| Average net price | $29,053/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $116,212 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,778 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 70.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,302 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Westmont College is $53,584/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $29,053/year, or roughly $116,212 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $20,899/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $38,124/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $246 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $64,778 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.60 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $20,899 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,492 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,867 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,524 |
| $110,001+ | $38,124 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $20,899 net -- well below the $29,053 average. Four-year cost is around $83,600, against $64,778 in 10-year median earnings. The math is reasonable for low-income families: aid reduces price substantially, and the mid-career earnings curve is strong enough to justify the spend over time.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) pay $19,867 net -- notably, the $30,001-$48,000 bracket actually pays $15,492 (less than the under-$30K bracket's $20,899). This is an aid-policy quirk where middle-low income families capture the most aid-per-dollar; an unusual but documented pattern. Four-year cost at middle-income brackets is around $79,500-$83,500.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $24,524, jumping sharply to $38,124 for $110,000+ families. This is a substantial gap -- net price increases by $13,600 between upper-middle and high-income brackets. Four-year cost at the top tier exceeds $152,000, the highest in this batch. For high-income families this is essentially full-pay liberal-arts; the value proposition depends on mission fit, Santa Barbara location, and Westmont's strong career outcomes.
Earnings by Major
Top 8 most popular majors at Westmont College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Information Systems | $84,815 | C+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $56,878 | D |
| Biology | $75,889 | D |
| Psychology | $45,455 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $62,535 | C |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $83,026 | - |
| English Language and Literature | $58,459 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $61,939 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Information Systems
Business Information Systems is Westmont's largest program at 60 graduates earning $54,457 in year one and $84,815 by year four against $25,000 debt -- a 0.459 ratio (C+ grade). Strong four-year growth reflects graduates moving into Southern California tech and consulting roles. The MIS-heavy curriculum positions students for both business and IT career paths effectively.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences produces 19 graduates with $83,026 in year-one earnings -- the highest of any program. Median debt is not reported. The earnings figure puts graduates squarely in Southern California tech salaries. A small but powerful pipeline.
Biology
Biology produces 38 graduates earning $30,635 in year one but jumping to $75,889 by year four against $23,250 debt (0.759 ratio, D grade). The dramatic four-year earnings climb is among the strongest in this set, signaling that most graduates continue to medical, dental, PA, or grad school and capture professional earnings. The year-one number reflects the standard pre-medical earnings gap.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology produces 42 graduates earning $27,708 in year one and $56,878 by year four against $24,250 debt (0.875 ratio, D grade). Like other kinesiology programs nationally, this is a pre-professional feeder to PT, OT, DPT, and athletic training credentials. The four-year climb reflects graduates capturing professional licensure.
Communication and Media Studies
Communication and Media Studies produces 24 graduates earning $41,225 in year one and $62,535 by year four against $23,250 debt (0.564 ratio, C grade). Strong outcomes for a communication degree -- the Southern California media-and-marketing labor market is large and Westmont graduates appear to place into it effectively.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 83.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 86.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 86.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 93.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 77.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 610-700 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 630-750 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-32 |
| Enrollment | 1,302 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 20.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,166 |
Westmont admits 77.1% of applicants -- moderately selective. SAT mid-ranges (Math 610-700, Reading 630-750) and ACT 25-32 reflect a genuinely strong academic profile -- the 75th-percentile SAT Reading of 750 puts upper-half admits in the same band as small selective liberal-arts colleges nationally. The 70.4% completion rate aligns with that academic preparation. Prepared applicants will find Westmont accessible; the school does the academic-preparation-to-completion work well.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Westmont's peer set is interesting: Art Center College of Design (a specialized design school -- not really comparable), Azusa Pacific University (CA Christian -- a closer mission peer with larger scale), AdventHealth University (FL health-focused), Albion (MI liberal arts), and Walla Walla (WA Adventist). The closest mission peer is Azusa Pacific; Albion is a closer academic-profile peer. Among small Christian liberal-arts colleges nationally, Westmont's 65 score is in the upper tier -- its completion, repayment, and mid-career earnings curves consistently outperform similar institutions.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westmont College (this school) | 65 | $29,053 | $64,778 |
| Calvin University | 65 | $22,992 | $58,375 |
| John Brown University | 64 | $20,397 | $53,907 |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | 64 | $29,822 | $67,725 |
| Samford University | 62 | $32,622 | $58,469 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | 62 | $22,866 | $59,986 |
Who Thrives Here
Westmont fits academically prepared Christian students drawn to a 1,302-student liberal-arts environment in Santa Barbara. Pell rate of 20% indicates a mostly upper-middle-class student body capable of substantial out-of-pocket investment. Strongest outcomes appear in business information systems, computer/IS, and pre-professional biology tracks. The Santa Barbara coastal location and small-college mentorship are core to the value proposition. Best fit: students with strong academic credentials, Christian faith alignment, and financial resources or strong merit-aid qualifications. Not a good fit for pure-ROI optimizers.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Westmont College offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $29,053 per year leads to $116,212 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $64,778 a decade out. The payback period of 8.6 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: a 70.3% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $23,250 against $64,778 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.