Hospitality Administration/Management at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's hospitality program graduates start earning less than the California median for their field, landing in just the 40th percentile among the state's ten hospitality programs. At $33,930 in the first year, they're trailing San Diego State graduates by over $6,000 and even falling below the statewide median. While earnings do climb 19% by year four—reaching $40,437—this still represents a slower start than most California competitors can offer.

The silver lining here is debt: at $15,000, graduates carry about half the national average and slightly below California's typical burden. This keeps the financial picture manageable, with debt representing less than half of first-year earnings. For context, nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting the affordable debt load matters significantly for this population. The combination of reasonable debt and steady earnings growth means graduates aren't drowning financially, even if they're not leading the pack.

For families weighing in-state CSU options, San Diego State or Long Beach would deliver stronger immediate returns in this field. However, if Cal Poly Pomona offers other advantages—location preference, specific program focus, or admission certainty—the modest debt burden means your child won't be trapped by their choice. Just know they're getting middle-of-the-road outcomes for California hospitality programs, not premium ones.