Pitzer College
Pitzer College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Pitzer College at a Glance
Pitzer College is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California. It was founded in 1963 as a women's college in the Claremont Colleges consortium and became coeducational in 1970.
1963
63 years old
$192M
$191.8 million (2024)
1,191
105
35 acres
Identity
Is Pitzer College Worth It?
Pitzer College offers moderate value at $34,191/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $69,512, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 83% graduation rate means roughly 17% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Admission is competitive with a 25% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Pitzer College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #6 of 16 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | 100 | $13,269 | $83,847 |
| #2 | Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | 52 | $17,618 | $58,708 |
| #3 | Bryn Mawr College | 49 | $31,759 | $75,217 |
| #4 | Franklin and Marshall College | 44 | $36,425 | $76,124 |
| #5 | St. Francis College | 43 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| #6 | Pitzer College | 42 | $34,191 | $69,512 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Pitzer College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Pitzer College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Pitzer College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $34,191/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Claremont, CA
- Student Body
- 1,227 students
- Admission Rate
- 25%
- Graduation Rate
- 83%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $34,191
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $69,512
- Median Student Debt
- $16,750