University of California-Santa Barbara vs Pomona College: which has better ROI?
University of California-Santa Barbara has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $64,436 in 2.4 years versus 2.6 years at Pomona College, on median earnings of $74,915 vs $77,779 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Santa Barbara | Pomona College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,109 | $19,285 |
| Total net cost | $64,436 | $77,140 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $74,915 | $77,779 |
| Median debt | $13,993 | $11,782 |
| Payback | 2.4 yrs | 2.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $466,664 | $511,240 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Santa Barbara or Pomona College?
University of California-Santa Barbara, at $16,109 a year after aid versus $19,285 — a gap of $3,176 a year, or $12,704 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of California-Santa Barbara or Pomona College graduates earn more?
Pomona College graduates report a median $77,779 ten years after entry, $2,864 more than the $74,915 at University of California-Santa Barbara. 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, University of California-Santa Barbara or Pomona College?
Pomona College: its completers carry a median $11,782 in federal loans versus $13,993 at University of California-Santa Barbara, a difference of $2,211. 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 83% at University of California-Santa Barbara. 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.