Pitzer College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Claremont, California · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025
Or open Pitzer College in College Search to compare programs, costs and outcomes side by side.
Pitzer College is a private nonprofit university in Claremont, California that admits about 25% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $34,191 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Political Science and Government, Research and Experimental Psychology and Natural Resources Conservation and Research, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 83% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 6.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Pitzer College is a private institution located in Claremont, California with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Pitzer College admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 25%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $34,191 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Pitzer College?
80% of enrolled students at Pitzer College had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.88, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Pitzer College weight in admissions?
Pitzer College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Volunteer work
- • Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores Pitzer College typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: Pitzer College does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 86% |
| Top 25% of class | 86% |
| Top 50% of class | 100% |
| % submitting class rank | 2.3% |
How much does Pitzer College actually cost?
Published tuition is $65,192 for in-state students and $65,192 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $22,150 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $34,191 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 11% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $64,888 |
| Room and board | $22,150 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $34,191 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Pitzer College
| Regular deadline | 1/6 |
| Notification date | 4/1 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 15 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 6 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 42% |
Will my child graduate from Pitzer College?
These predict outcomes at Pitzer College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Pitzer College
The most popular undergraduate programs at Pitzer College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Political Science and Government, Research and Experimental Psychology and Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Across all programs, Pitzer College confers roughly 168 bachelor's degrees a year. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 26 | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 24 | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 22 | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 22 | — |
| Mathematics | 21 | — |
| Economics | 19 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 18 | — |
| English Language and Literature, General | 16 | — |
Is Pitzer College safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Pitzer College disclosed 8 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 6.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Pitzer College?
About 85% of undergraduates at Pitzer College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 0% of men join a fraternity and 0% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
Next steps for Pitzer College
Common questions parents ask about Pitzer College
What GPA do I need for Pitzer College?
80% of enrolled students at Pitzer College had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.88, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Pitzer College typically admit?
Pitzer College is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does Pitzer College actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Pitzer College after grants and scholarships is $34,191 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $65,192. Budget against the net figure.
Is Pitzer College realistic for my child?
Pitzer College admits 25% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $34,191 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Pitzer College?
Pitzer College accepts about 25% of applicants out of roughly 3,438 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is Pitzer College test-optional?
Pitzer College is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at Pitzer College?
About 83% of students at Pitzer College graduate within six years, and 58% finish in four years. 94% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Pitzer College?
Pitzer College's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 42%, compared with its overall rate of 25%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Pitzer College look for in applicants?
Pitzer College rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and character and personal qualities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Pitzer College a public or private school, and where is it located?
Pitzer College is a private nonprofit institution located in Claremont, California.
What are the most popular majors at Pitzer College?
The largest undergraduate majors at Pitzer College by annual graduates are Political Science and Government, Research and Experimental Psychology and Natural Resources Conservation and Research. The school awards about 168 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Pitzer College safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Pitzer College reported 8 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 6.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Pitzer College?
At Pitzer College, 85% of undergraduates live on campus, 0% of men are in fraternities, 0% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Pitzer College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers