Westmont College
Westmont College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Westmont College at a Glance
Westmont College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Montecito, California, United States. It was founded in 1937.
1937
89 years old
$92M
$92.16 million (2024)
1,171
96
111 acres
Identity
Is Westmont College Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Westmont College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $64,778 — 20% above average — while paying $29,053/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Westmont College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Westmont College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #35 of 97 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 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | 100 | $10,420 | $75,103 |
| #2 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #3 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #4 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #5 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #6 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #35 | Westmont College | 39 | $29,053 | $64,778 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Westmont College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in CA.
Best Programs at Westmont College
The highest-earning program at Westmont College is Business/Managerial Economics at $44,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $21,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business/Managerial Economics graduate from Westmont College earns $44,000, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $21,300. 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: Business/Managerial Economics graduates carry $21,000 in median debt vs. $22,434 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,053/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Managerial Economics | $44,000 | $44,000 | $21,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,700 | $32,700 | $21,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $21,300 | $21,300 | $22,434 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Student Body
- 1,302 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,053
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,778
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250