Ethnic & Cultural Studies at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,253/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Small (8,000 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 92 Ethnic & Cultural Minority programs Top 1%

Program Analysis

While the career paths for this major can seem abstract, your strong earnings potential comes from Cal Poly Pomona's "learn by doing" philosophy applied within the massive Southern California economy. You won't just be reading theory; you'll likely engage with the diverse communities of the Inland Empire and greater Los Angeles through internships and service-learning projects. This practical experience makes you a valuable candidate for roles that require deep cultural competency — think human resources, public relations, community organizing, or policy advising for government agencies and major corporations headquartered nearby. The high AI risk score simply means you must focus on building uniquely human skills like empathy, advocacy, and cross-cultural communication that can't be automated. Your key to success is to actively seek an internship with a local non-profit or a corporate DEI department to translate your academic knowledge into a compelling professional story.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Ethnic & Cultural Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $530K $524K $479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.8x 17.6x 16.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.9x 6.8x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 41% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 35

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 (6.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,320
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,936
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,756
34% growth from Year 1

About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

With 74% of applicants admitted, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona prioritizes broad access, with 24,271 students enrolled 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

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary $84,290/yr
Interpreters and translators $59,440/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Ethnic & Cultural Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's Ethnic & Cultural Studies program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Ethnic & Cultural Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Ethnic & Cultural Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Ethnic & Cultural Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona rank so high for Ethnic & Cultural Studies?
The #1 ranking out of 92 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →