Skip to main content
CollegeHelpGuide
Pitzer College logo

Pitzer College

Claremont, CA·Private nonprofit·1,227 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for competitive applicants and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. strong 83% graduation rate; financial aid brings net price below sticker.

25%
Accept
1,227
Students
$34,191
Net Price
83%
Grad Rate
$51,500
Earnings
10 yr
$16,750
Debt

About This School

Pitzer College is a private nonprofit institution located in Claremont, California with approximately 1,227 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 25% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $34,191 per year. The graduation rate is 83%, and the typical graduate earns $51,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

Pitzer College is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California. It was founded in 1963 as a women's college in the Claremont Colleges consortium and became coeducational in 1970.

Worth considering if you want a small, values-driven liberal arts experience with real selectivity — a 17% acceptance rate and 94% freshman retention suggest students who get in tend to feel at home. The $51,500 median earnings at 10 years is modest for a school this competitive, so students should think carefully about their intended field and not assume the degree alone will drive a strong financial return. On the bright side, median debt of $16,750 at graduation is relatively low, which softens the risk if your career path takes time to build.

Founded
1963
Setting
Large suburb
Avg Faculty Salary
$12,503

Popular Programs

Social Sciences25%
Psychology8%
Biological Sciences8%
Communications5%
Business & Marketing5%
Visual & Performing Arts4%
Computer Science1%
Health Professions0%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Anne ArcherMax BrooksEric DouglasDennis CooperMatt NathansonDebbie Mucarsel-Powell

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Neither required nor recommended

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$65,192
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,192
Avg Net Price
$34,191
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$14,535
$30–48k$7,769
$48–75k$20,846
$75–110k$29,452
$110k+$46,793

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants11%
Median debt at graduation$16,750

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
83%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
94%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$51,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$16,750
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$44,500
Female graduates$32,400

Gap: 27% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$16,750
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$37,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$51,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.1x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White47%
Black4%
Hispanic/Latino12%
Asian13%
Two or more races10%
International9%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,227 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Pitzer College

1050 North Mills Avenue

Claremont, CA 91711-6101

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in California

Browse all California schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.