University of the Pacific
University of the Pacific — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of the Pacific at a Glance
University of the Pacific is a private, historically Methodist-affiliated university with its main campus in Stockton, California, United States, and graduate campuses in San Francisco and Sacramento. It was the first university chartered in the state of California (1851), the first independent coeducational campus in California, and the first conservatory of music and first medical school on the West Coast.
1851
175 years old
$643M
$643.2 million (2024)
6,852
1,533 undergrad · 3,755 grad
2,025
175 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of the Pacific
Official admissions pageJanuary 15 (Early Action)
Is University of the Pacific Worth It?
University of the Pacific offers moderate value at $25,447/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $78,445, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of the Pacific compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #7 of 40 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 | University of Tulsa | 74 | $15,000 | $61,408 |
| #2 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #3 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #4 | Clarkson University | 55 | $30,305 | $89,696 |
| #5 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #6 | Loyola University Maryland | 54 | $30,574 | $82,652 |
| #7 | University of the Pacific | 53 | $25,447 | $78,445 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of the Pacific's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in CA.
Best Programs at University of the Pacific
The highest-earning program at University of the Pacific is Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other at $116,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $23,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other graduate from University of the Pacific earns $116,200, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $23,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other graduates carry $13,250 in median debt vs. $21,437 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,447/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
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $116,200 | $116,200 | $13,250 |
| Civil Engineering | $68,100 | $68,100 | $27,000 |
| Engineering, General | $67,400 | $67,400 | N/A |
| Computer Science | $60,800 | $60,800 | $20,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $53,300 | $53,300 | $24,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,500 | $46,500 | $21,837 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,600 | $42,600 | $20,915 |
| Biology, General | $41,500 | $41,500 | $19,500 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $32,200 | $32,200 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,100 | $26,100 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $23,900 | $23,900 | $21,437 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Stockton, CA
- Student Body
- 3,204 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,447
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $78,445
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500