California State Polytechnic University-Pomona — ROI, Cost & Payback
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona charges a net price of $11,531/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $46,124. Graduates earn a median $71,902 ten years after entry, $23,542/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2 years — a 20-year net return of $424,716, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's 2-year payback ranks #74 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 94% of them, and #23 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $11,531/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $46,124 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $71,902 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $23,542/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $16,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $424,716 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's own numbers. Net price $11,531 × 4 years = $46,124 total. Median earnings $71,902 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $23,542 a year of premium. $46,124 ÷ $23,542 = 2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $424,716. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students graduate with?
A median $16,000 in federal loans among completers, or 22% of the $71,902 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students graduate?
68% finish their degree — 32% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $46,124 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $67,829 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $11,531 net price runs $8,374 below the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, and $33,496 less across the full degree.