Psychology, General at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,845/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (125,000 openings/yr)
ROI 18.7x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #170 of 926 Psychology, General programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Psychology, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $564K $558K $510K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.9x 18.7x 17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.2x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 47% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,756
Out-of-state: $77,276 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,320
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,985
94% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,845/yr fall 15% below the $31,705 national median for Psychology, General. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 18.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $13,000 in median debt against $26,845 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #170 out of 926 programs, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's Psychology, General program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $26,845 to $51,985 over five years (94% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a 74% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 24,271 in Pomona, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Industrial-organizational psychologists $109,840/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Psychology, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's Psychology, General program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Psychology, General. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Psychology, General to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Psychology, General careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona rank so high for Psychology, General?
The #170 ranking out of 926 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Why are Psychology, General earnings lower at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
Lower starting pay at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →