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Westmont College — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Santa Barbara, CA · 1,302 students

The verdict

Westmont College charges a net price of $29,053/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $116,212. Graduates earn a median $64,778 ten years after entry, $16,418/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 7.1 years — a 20-year net return of $212,148, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Westmont College's 7.1-year payback ranks #626 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 51% of them, and #87 of 334 in California.

Better ROI than 51% of US colleges#626 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$29,053
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$64,778
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
7.1 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
77%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Westmont College: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$29,053/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$116,212our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$64,778Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$16,418/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,250Scorecard, 2026
Payback7.1 yrsour math
20-year net return$212,148our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Westmont College: frequently asked questions

Is Westmont College worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Westmont College charges $29,053/yr after aid ($116,212 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $64,778 ten years out — $16,418/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 7.1 years and returns $212,148 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Westmont College degree take to pay off?
About 7.1 years. We divide the $116,212 four-year net cost by the $16,418/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Westmont College cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $29,053/yr — about $116,212 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Westmont College compare to other California colleges?
It ranks #87 of 334 California colleges we track by payback. Its $64,778 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $29,053 net price is above the national median of $16,906.