Chemistry at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's chemistry program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground—slightly above national benchmarks but trailing most California competitors. While $43,294 starting salary beats the national median by about $700, it falls below the state median and lands in just the 40th percentile among California's 65 chemistry programs. More concerning: students here carry $23,750 in debt compared to the state median of $16,326, meaning they're borrowing roughly 45% more than typical California chemistry graduates while earning less.

The four-year earnings trajectory offers modest encouragement, with salaries climbing 16% to around $50,000. Still, that growth doesn't close the gap with higher-performing programs—UC Merced graduates start at $51,000, and even Cal State Long Beach beats Pomona's four-year mark with its first-year salary. Given that 46% of students here receive Pell grants, that extra $7,000 in debt represents a genuine burden for many families.

For California residents with chemistry ambitions, this program delivers acceptable but not impressive outcomes. The debt load is manageable relative to earnings, but you're essentially paying more to earn less than you would at several other Cal State campuses. Unless location or specific faculty draw your child here, comparable CSU options offer better financial positioning.