Education at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's education graduates face a challenging but manageable financial picture. First-year earnings of $31,250 match California's median exactly while trailing the national average by about $1,200—landing this program in the 39th percentile nationally but the 60th percentile within California. For a state where teaching salaries vary dramatically by district, this middle-of-the-pack positioning suggests graduates are securing standard entry-level teaching positions rather than breaking into the state's higher-paying districts.

The standout feature here is the debt load. At $12,200, graduates carry less than half the typical debt burden for education majors nationally ($25,989) and notably less than California's state median of $14,000. This puts the program in the 95th percentile nationally for keeping debt low—a significant advantage given that teaching salaries grow predictably but modestly. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 means graduates owe roughly five months of gross income, easily manageable on a teacher's salary with loan forgiveness programs potentially available.

The practical takeaway: This program won't launch your child into California's top-paying districts, but it will prepare them for a teaching career without the debt burden that crushes many educators. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, Cal Poly Pomona clearly serves as an accessible pathway to teaching. If your child is committed to education and wants to avoid the debt trap that forces many teachers into side hustles, this represents solid value.