Analysis
Pitzer's highly selective admissions (17% acceptance rate) create expectations that don't align with what comparable interdisciplinary studies programs in California deliver. Based on similar programs across the state, first-year earnings of around $40,400 place graduates right at the state median—solid, but unremarkable for a school of this caliber. The estimated $22,900 in debt keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.57, below both state and national debt levels for this degree, which matters more than the earnings figure itself when assessing financial risk.
The challenge here is that interdisciplinary studies programs show enormous variation in outcomes. California peers range from $35,400 to over $100,000 in first-year earnings, suggesting that what students do within the major—their specific combination of disciplines, internships, and career focus—drives results far more than the credential itself. For a school attracting mostly full-pay students (only 10% receive Pell grants), families are likely paying premium tuition for flexibility that could lead anywhere from nonprofit work to tech consulting, making the actual return highly dependent on individual choices.
The moderate debt burden provides cushion for graduates to pursue lower-paying opportunities in their first year, but families should recognize they're betting on a student's ability to leverage Pitzer's networks and a liberal arts education into career outcomes that significantly exceed this $40,400 baseline.
Where Pitzer College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (50 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pitzer CollegeClaremont | $62,692 | $40,433* | — | $22,875* | — |
 University of the PacificStockton | $55,340 | $104,803* | $165,593 | $15,500* | 0.15 |
 University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $13,747 | $46,154* | $65,593 | $15,000* | 0.32 |
 California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata | $7,913 | $45,490* | $38,755 | $18,196* | 0.40 |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $45,461* | $76,643 | $14,500* | 0.32 |
 University of California-IrvineIrvine | $14,237 | $35,404* | $51,708 | $16,332* | 0.46 |
| National Median | — | $38,704* | — | $25,495* | 0.66 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Pitzer College, approximately 10% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.