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Pomona College vs Pacific College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Claremont CA · vs · Private for-profit, Costa Mesa CA

The verdict

Pomona College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,140 in 2.6 years versus 2.7 years at Pacific College, on median earnings of $77,779 vs $70,064 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePomona CollegePacific College
Net price / yr$19,285$29,363
Total net cost$77,140$58,726
Median earnings, 10 yrs$77,779$70,064
Median debt$11,782$22,469
Payback2.6 yrs2.7 yrs
20-year net return$511,240$375,354

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Pomona College or Pacific College?

Pomona College, at $19,285 a year after aid versus $29,363 — a gap of $10,078 a year, or $18,414 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Pomona College or Pacific College graduates earn more?

Pomona College graduates report a median $77,779 ten years after entry, $7,715 more than the $70,064 at Pacific College. 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, Pomona College or Pacific College?

Pomona College: its completers carry a median $11,782 in federal loans versus $22,469 at Pacific College, a difference of $10,687. 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 63% at Pacific College. 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.

Pomona College vs Pacific College: frequently asked questions

Is Pomona College or Pacific College a better value?
Pomona College. It clears its $77,140 net cost in about 2.6 years versus 2.7 years at Pacific College, on median earnings of $77,779 vs $70,064 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Pomona College or Pacific College?
Pomona College: $19,285/yr net price after aid versus $29,363/yr at Pacific College — a difference of $10,078 a year, or about $18,414 over four years.
Do Pomona College or Pacific College graduates earn more?
Pomona College graduates earn a median $77,779 ten years after entry, versus $70,064 at Pacific College — a $7,715 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.