At $31,663/yr net price, Pitzer College graduates earn $69,512/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $35,512/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $31,663 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $126,652 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $69,512/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$35,512/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,284/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,361/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,911/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,791/yr |
| $110,001+ | $49,894/yr |
The Risk Factor
83.2% of students at Pitzer College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Pitzer's numbers land in a mixed spot: strong graduation and retention, low debt at graduation, but median earnings that don't match what you pay to get there. Ten years out, the typical graduate earns close to $70k, while the sticker-adjusted net price runs above $31k a year. That's a workable return, but not a fast one, especially given the debt-to-earnings math only looks good because so little debt is carried out the door.
The low median debt is the strongest financial signal here. Leaving with under $17,000 means you're not gambling your twenties on loan payments, and the 94% retention rate tells you most people who start actually finish, which is the single biggest predictor of whether college pays off at all. An 83% graduation rate backs that up.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed, so there's no way to say which majors here pay and which don't. Pitzer is a liberal arts college, and the median earnings reflect that mix. If you want a degree that funnels straight into a high-paying field, the earnings data doesn't promise it.
The net price tiers are where this school gets specific. If your family earns under $30k, you pay around $9,300 a year, and the return on that is genuinely strong. Between $48k and $110k, you're paying $18k to $23k, and the math gets tighter against a $70k median. Above $110k, you pay nearly $50,000 a year at close to full sticker, and at that price the earnings return alone won't justify it.
This is a good financial fit if you qualify for the lower income tiers or you're clear-eyed about picking a career path yourself. If you're a full-pay family expecting the degree to earn back that $50k annually on salary, look harder at the numbers first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pitzer College worth the high tuition cost?
Pitzer graduates earn a median of $69,512 ten years after graduation, which is solid but not exceptional given the school's selectivity and cost. The net price of $31,663 annually means you're paying premium prices for above-average but not outstanding financial returns.
What is the return on investment for a Pitzer College degree?
Pitzer's ROI is mixed - graduates have relatively low debt loads at $16,750 median, but earnings of $69,512 don't fully justify the premium cost. The 83% graduation rate is strong, but financially you might find better value elsewhere.
How much debt do Pitzer College students typically graduate with?
Pitzer students graduate with a median debt of $16,750, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, this figure reflects the school's wealthy student body more than generous aid - many students don't need loans at all.
Does Pitzer College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
With a net price of $31,663, Pitzer's aid brings costs down from the full sticker price but still leaves families paying significant amounts. The aid is decent but doesn't make the school truly affordable for middle-class families.