California State University-Long Beach vs Pomona College: which has better ROI?
Pomona College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,140 in 2.6 years versus 2.6 years at California State University-Long Beach, on median earnings of $77,779 vs $64,403 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Long Beach | Pomona College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,440 | $19,285 |
| Total net cost | $41,760 | $77,140 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,403 | $77,779 |
| Median debt | $14,289 | $11,782 |
| Payback | 2.6 yrs | 2.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $279,100 | $511,240 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Long Beach or Pomona College?
California State University-Long Beach, at $10,440 a year after aid versus $19,285 — a gap of $8,845 a year, or $35,380 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do California State University-Long Beach or Pomona College graduates earn more?
Pomona College graduates report a median $77,779 ten years after entry, $13,376 more than the $64,403 at California State University-Long Beach. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, California State University-Long Beach or Pomona College?
Pomona College: its completers carry a median $11,782 in federal loans versus $14,289 at California State University-Long Beach, a difference of $2,507. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
93% of students finish at Pomona College, against 69% at California State University-Long Beach. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.