Landscape Architecture at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's landscape architecture program faces an initial earnings challenge, with graduates starting at $47,253—about $5,600 below the national median for this field. However, that gap largely closes by year four, when earnings jump to $70,272, representing 49% growth. Among California's five landscape architecture programs, this ranks solidly at the 60th percentile, though it trails Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's stronger outcomes by a noticeable margin.

The debt picture is actually more favorable than it appears. While the 95th percentile ranking sounds concerning (lower is better), the actual amount—$20,893—is modest in absolute terms and nearly $5,000 below the national median. That's roughly 5 months of first-year salary, which suggests manageable repayment. The program serves a heavily working-class population (46% receive Pell grants), so the lower debt burden matters.

The key question is whether you're comfortable with that initial earnings lag. Students here start behind peers at top programs but catch up reasonably well, likely reflecting Cal Poly Pomona's strong connections to California's construction and development industries. If your child can handle a tighter budget in their early career—perhaps living at home or working a second job—this program offers a viable path into landscape architecture without crushing debt.