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{{Short description|Private college in Claremont, California, US}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Pitzer College
| image = Pitzer College seal, cali.svg
| image_upright = .7
| caption = 
| motto = Provida Futuri
| mottoeng = Mindful of the Future
| established = {{start date and age|1963}}
| type = [[Private university|Private]] [[Liberal arts colleges in the United States|liberal arts college]]
| president = [[Strom C. Thacker]]
| city = [[Claremont, California|Claremont]]
| state = [[California]]
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{Coord|34|6|14|N|117|42|20|W|display=inline,title}}
| endowment = $191.8 million (2024)<ref name=NACUBO>As of June 30, 2024. {{cite web |url=https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2024 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2024 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY23 to FY24, and FY24 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student |date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) |access-date=February 12, 2025 |format=XLSX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212074654/https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| budget = 
| faculty = 105
| undergrad = 1,191<ref>{{cite web |title=Fast Facts |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/about/fast-facts |publisher=Pitzer College}}</ref>
| campus = Suburban, {{cvt|35|acre|ha}}
| mascot = [[Cecil the Sagehen]]
| colors = Orange and white<br />{{color box|#F7941D}}{{color box|#FFFFFF}}
| website = {{URL|www.pitzer.edu/}}
| logo = Pitzer College logo.svg
| logo_upright = 0.9
}}
'''Pitzer College''' is a [[Private university|private]] [[Liberal arts colleges in the United States|liberal arts college]] in [[Claremont, California]]. It was founded in 1963 as a [[Women's colleges in the United States|women's college]] in the [[Claremont Colleges]] consortium and became coeducational in 1970.

Pitzer enrolls approximately 1000 students. Pitzer offers 41 majors and 22 minors,<ref name=":0" /> many of them cross-disciplinary. The college has a curricular emphasis on the [[social sciences]], [[behavioural sciences|behavioral sciences]], [[study abroad|international programs]], and [[media studies]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitzer.edu/about/index.asp |title=About Pitzer |publisher=Pitzer College, Office of Admission |access-date=2007-10-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018005829/http://www.pitzer.edu/about/index.asp |archive-date=2007-10-18}}</ref> Pitzer is known for its [[social justice]] culture and experimental pedagogical approach.<ref name="Fiske 2020">{{cite book |last1=Fiske |first1=Edward B. |title=Fiske Guide to Colleges 2020 |date= 15 June 2019|publisher=[[Sourcebooks]] |isbn=978-1-4926-6494-9 |edition=36th |location=Naperville, Illinois |publication-date=June 15, 2019 |pages=152–153}}</ref>

Pitzer competes in the [[NCAA Division III]]'s [[Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference|Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC)]] in a joint athletic program with [[Pomona College]] (another consortium member) as the [[Pomona–Pitzer Sagehens|Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens]]. Notable alumni include federal officials, authors, and various figures in the entertainment industry. Pitzer is a top producer of Fulbright US Student Program awardees.

==History==
Pitzer was made the sixth institution of the [[Claremont Colleges]] when it was founded in 1963 as a [[Women's colleges in the United States|women's college]] by [[Russell K. Pitzer]] (1878–1978), a California citrus magnate, philanthropist, and [[Pomona College]] alumnus. In April 1963, [[John W. Atherton]], the dean of faculty and a professor of English at Claremont Men's College (now Claremont McKenna College) was hired as Pitzer's first president, and over the next seventeen months he recruited students, faculty, and trustees and constructed Scott and Sanborn Halls just in time for the fall 1964 semester. During the college's first year, students and faculty created the curriculum and the school's system of governance. The college graduated its first class of students in 1965 and became co-educational in the fall of 1970.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitzer College History - Pitzer College |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/pitzer-college-history/ |website=Pitzer College |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227173653/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/pitzer-college-history/ |archive-date=2015-12-27 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission, History, & The Claremont Colleges |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/about/mission-history-claremont-colleges |access-date=March 17, 2025 |website=Pitzer College}}</ref> The first academic term in the fall of 1964 began with eleven professors and 153 students from sixteen states and five countries. Pitzer's sixth president, [[Melvin L. Oliver]], was the first African American to lead any of the five Claremont Colleges.

===Presidents===
*[[John W. Atherton]] (1963–1970)
*Robert H. Atwell (1970–1978)
*Frank L. Ellsworth (1979–1991)
*Marilyn Chapin Massey (1992–2002)
*[[Laura Skandera Trombley]] (2002–2015)
*[[Thomas Poon]] (2015–2016, acting and interim)
*[[Melvin L. Oliver]] (2016–2022)<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-pitzer-president-melvin-oliver-20160113-story.html |title=New Pitzer College president is first African American to lead a Claremont undergrad campus |last=Watanabe |first=Teresa |date=January 13, 2016 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2016-10-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Melvin L. Oliver: Pitzer College's 6th President |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/6th-president/ |website=Melvin L. Oliver |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116045804/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/6th-president/ |archive-date=2016-01-16 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Jill A. Klein (2022–2023, interim)
*[[Strom C. Thacker]] (2023–present)

==Campus==
[[File:Cat-Grove-House.jpg|alt=The Rodman Arboretum surrounds the Grove House at Pitzer College.|thumb|230px|The Rodman Arboretum surrounds the Grove House at Pitzer College.]]
Pitzer's campus is in Claremont, California, covering an area of approximately {{cvt|35|acre|ha}}. The campus is located approximately {{cvt|10|mi|km}} west of [[LA/Ontario International Airport]] and Los Angeles can be accessed via [[Metrolink (California)|Metrolink]]. Access to campus is also provided via [[Interstate 10 (California)|Interstate 10]] and [[Interstate 210 (California)|Interstate 210]]. The campus comprises sixteen buildings, including five residence halls. West and East Halls earned Platinum LEED certification when they opened 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitzer College's New LEED-Certified Residence Halls Win Design Award |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/communications/2013/09/pitzer-colleges-new-leed-certified-residence-halls-win-design-award/ |website=Office of Communications |access-date=2016-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331142810/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/communications/2013/09/pitzer-colleges-new-leed-certified-residence-halls-win-design-award/ |archive-date=2015-03-31 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Pitzer College campus occupies the northeast corner of the [[Claremont Colleges]] property, which contains seven institutions of higher education coordinated through the [[Claremont University Consortium]]. The Claremont Colleges comprise [[Pomona College]] (founded in 1887), [[Claremont Graduate University]] (1925), [[Scripps College]] (1926), [[Claremont McKenna College]] (1946), [[Harvey Mudd College]] (1955), Pitzer College (1963), and [[Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences]] (1997). At present, the campus is split approximately in half by Pitzer Road. Harvey Mudd College is adjacent to Pitzer's north, Scripps to the west, and Claremont McKenna to the south.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitzer.edu/about/maps/map_quickreference.html |title=Campus Map |publisher=Robert P Hernandez |access-date=2007-10-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218062944/http://www.pitzer.edu/about/maps/map_quickreference.html |archive-date=2008-12-18}}</ref>
[[File:Brant Clock Tower, Pitzer College, 2016.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Brant Clock Tower]]

[[Contemporary architecture]] characterizes the majority of Pitzer's buildings, several of which were designed by [[Charles Gwathmey|Gwathmey-Siegel]] following major donations from [[Eli Broad]], a board member emeritus and former [[Chair (official)|chair]] of the Pitzer College Board of [[Trustee]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Trustees - Pitzer College |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/administration/board-trustees/ |website=Pitzer College |access-date=2016-01-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110165311/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/administration/board-trustees/ |archive-date=2016-01-10}}</ref> A notable exception is the Grove House, a [[California bungalow]] built in 1902 for a local citrus grower during the height of the [[Arts and Crafts movement]].<ref name="PZ architecture TSL">{{cite news |last1=Sutton |first1=Frances |title=Framed: Pitzer College is quintessentially Californian |url=https://tsl.news/pz-architecture-california/ |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=[[The Student Life]] |date=22 January 2021}}</ref> The building, a popular campus hangout to this day, was purchased for $1.00 and moved to Pitzer in 1977 under the direction of professor emeritus [[Barry Sanders (professor)|Barry Sanders]]. The Grove House is home to a cafe, the Women's Center, the Hinshaw Gallery and the EcoCenter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Grove House |url=https://thegrovehouse.wordpress.com/ |website=The Grove House |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref>

Most [[landscaping]] on the campus follows principles of [[xeriscaping]]. Several varieties of [[citrus]] and other fruit are grown throughout campus and an organic [[community garden]], dedicated [[Grove (nature)|grove]] and chicken coop are located north of Mead Hall.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The John R. Rodman Arboretum - The John R. Rodman Arboretum |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/arboretum/ |website=The John R. Rodman Arboretum |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104192534/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/arboretum/ |archive-date=2016-01-04 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The 10-acre John R. Rodman Arboretum, an attempt to save surviving native [[chaparral]] vegetation from demolition, was founded in 1984. It contains 16 themed gardens with drought-tolerant, native landscaping.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sterman |first1=Nan |title=Sustainability isn't merely academic |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-mar-20-la-hm-pitzer-20100320-story.html |access-date=28 January 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=20 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hudson |first1=Berkley |title=Saving What's There Naturally |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118948136/saving-whats-there-naturally/ |access-date=18 February 2023 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=30 September 1990 |pages=909,[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118948178/plants-professors-project-preserves-na/ 910]}}</ref>

The campus also includes auditoriums, sports courts, and science buildings.

Located directly northwest of the main campus, the [[Robert J. Bernard Field Station|Robert J. Bernard Biological Field Station]], a resource of The Claremont Colleges, is an {{cvt|86|acre|ha|adj=on}} nature preserve consisting of [[coastal sage scrub]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert J. Bernard Biological Field Station |url=http://bfs.claremont.edu/ |website=bfs.claremont.edu |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref>

The Outback Preserve, located in the northeast section of campus, occupies just over three acres of the John Rodman Arboretum. The preserve is home to one of the rarest ecosystems in the world: Alluvial Sage Scrub. Undergoing [[ecological restoration]] as part of the Outback Restoration Project, the preserve is a living-learning laboratory. The project seeks to restore the Outback Preserve to a more intact alluvial sage scrub ecosystem, removing invasive plants and ensuring the success of native species. Each semester there are a small number of courses utilizing the Outback Preserve. Courses are open to all students at the Claremont Colleges.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Outback Preserve at Pitzer College - The John R. Rodman Arboretum |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/arboretum/outback-preserve/ |website=The John R. Rodman Arboretum |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222001840/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/arboretum/outback-preserve/ |archive-date=2015-12-22 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Pitzer owns and operates a {{cvt|145|acre|ha|adj=on}} field station on secondary growth [[rainforest]], the [[Firestone Reserve|Firestone Center for Restoration Ecology]]. The facility is located approximately two kilometers east of [[Dominical, Puntarenas|Playa Dominical]], [[Costa Rica]].<ref name="claremont1">{{cite web |url=http://costarica.jsd.claremont.edu/ |title=Joint Science Costa Rica Field Station |publisher=Donald A. MacFarlane |access-date=2007-10-22}}</ref> The property borders the Hacienda Barú nature reserve.<ref>[http://www.haciendabaru.com/ Hacienda Barú nature reserve]</ref> The center is home to programs in Pitzer's science, language and international studies curricula.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitzer in Costa Rica - Study Abroad and International Programs |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/study-abroad/pitzer-students/costa-rica/ |website=Study Abroad and International Programs |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108121717/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/study-abroad/pitzer-students/costa-rica/ |archive-date=2016-01-08 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Rankings==
{{Infobox US university ranking
| Forbes = 54
| THE_WSJ = 77
| USNWR_LA = 36
| Wamo_LA = 52
}}

The [[College and university rankings#U.S. News & World Report College and University rankings|''U.S. News & World Report'' College and University rankings]] 2025 edition ranks Pitzer College as tied for the 36th best national liberal arts college overall, and tied for 54th in "Top Performers on Social Mobility" out of 211 evaluated liberal arts colleges.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pitzer College Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/pitzer-college-1172/overall-rankings |publisher=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=December 16, 2022}}</ref> In 2015, Pitzer was recognized nationally as the 8th most selective liberal arts college; 20th most selective among all college and universities; 44th in best freshmen retention rate; and 55th for highest proportion of classes with fewer than 20 students.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Liberal Arts College Rankings {{!}} Top Liberal Arts Colleges {{!}} US News Best Colleges |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges |website=colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821213346/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges |archive-date=2016-08-21 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Most Students Studying Abroad {{!}} Rankings {{!}} US News Best Colleges |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/most-study-abroad?src=stats |website=colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=High School Counselor Rankings {{!}} Liberal Arts Colleges {{!}} US News Best Colleges |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges/high-school-counselor |website=colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Best Colleges for Veterans {{!}} Liberal Arts Colleges {{!}} US News Best Colleges |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges/veterans |website=colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Top 100 – Lowest Acceptance Rates {{!}} Rankings {{!}} US News Best Colleges {{!}} page 2 |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/lowest-acceptance-rate/page+2 |website=colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref>

In ''[[Forbes]]''{{'}} 2019 college rankings, Pitzer was named 54th best among the 650 top-ranked colleges, universities and service academies in the U.S.<ref name=Forbes>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/colleges/pitzer-college/?list=top-colleges |title=Pitzer College Rankings |work=Forbes |date=August 15, 2019}}</ref> In addition, Pitzer was named the 44th best private college, the 22nd best liberal arts college, and the 11th best college in the West.<ref name=Forbes/>

==Academics==
As a member of the Claremont College Consortium, Pitzer students have access to nearly all facilities available to students enrolled at the other colleges, in addition to all facilities administered by the Claremont College Consortium. Any student attending Pitzer can enroll in classes at the other four colleges, and can complete an off-campus major if the major is not offered by Pitzer.

Pitzer offers 41 majors and 22 minors,<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title=Majors and Minors |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/academics/majors/ |website=Pitzer College Majors and Minors |publisher=Pitzer College}}</ref> many of them cross-disciplinary, and each student is assigned a faculty advisor upon their arrival on campus. The college expects students to take an active part in planning their course of study and has few distribution requirements.<ref name="Pitzer College at a Glance">{{Cite web |title=Pitzer College at a Glance |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/admission/explore/at-a-glance/ |website=Pitzer College |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221103635/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/admission/explore/at-a-glance/ |archive-date=2015-12-21 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The most popular majors, based on 2021 graduates were:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Pitzer&s=all&id=121257#programs |website=nces.ed.gov |publisher=U.S. Dept of Education |title=Pitzer College |access-date=February 27, 2023}}</ref>
*Research and Experimental Psychology (22)
*Environmental Science (20)
*Organizational Behavior Studies (18)
*Political Science and Government, General (18)
*Economics (17)

The student/faculty ratio is 10:1, and 100% of Pitzer's tenure-track faculty hold a Ph.D. or the terminal degree in their field.<ref name="Pitzer College at a Glance" />

The college operates 58 study abroad programs, including 41 international exchanges and 6 domestic exchanges. Pitzer College also operates its own study abroad programs in Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Italy, Nepal, Tanzania/South Africa/Zimbabwe, and Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of Study Abroad and International Programs - Study Abroad and International Programs |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/study-abroad/ |website=Study Abroad and International Programs |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105065050/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/study-abroad/ |archive-date=2016-01-05 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Programs & Exchanges for Pitzer Students {{!}} Study Abroad {{!}} Pitzer College |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/study-abroad/pitzer-students/ |access-date=2021-03-03 |website=Study Abroad and International Programs |language=en-US}}</ref>

Pitzer has ranked as a top producer of Fulbright US Student Program awardees for 13 consecutive years thus far and is one of the nine baccalaureate institutes who have been top producers of Fulbright US students every year for at least the past decade.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2021 |title=Pitzer College is a Fulbright Program Top Producer for 13th Consecutive Year |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/communications/2021/02/24/pitzer-college-is-a-fulbright-program-top-producer-for-13th-consecutive-year/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024703/https://www.pitzer.edu/communications/2021/02/24/pitzer-college-is-a-fulbright-program-top-producer-for-13th-consecutive-year/ |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |website=Office of Communications |language=en-US}}</ref> From 2010 to 2015, ''The Chronicle of Higher Education'' listed Pitzer first in Fulbright Fellowships among all undergraduate institutions nationwide. In 11 of the 12 years from 2003 until 2015, Pitzer alumni received more Fulbright Fellowships per capita than alumni from any other college or university in the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitzer College Named #1 Fulbright Producer for Fifth Straight Year |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/communications/2015/02/12/pitzer-college-named-1-fulbright-producer-fifth-straight-year/ |website=Office of Communications |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229022446/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/communications/2015/02/12/pitzer-college-named-1-fulbright-producer-fifth-straight-year/ |archive-date=2016-02-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Admission==
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{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:85%; margin:10px; text-align:center; font-size:85%; margin:auto;"
|+'''Enrolled fall freshman statistics'''
|-
!&nbsp;
!2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/admission/admissions/apply/ |title=Pitzer College Common Data Set 2019-2020, Part C |publisher=Pitzer College |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref>
!2019<ref name=CDS>{{cite web |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/institutional-research/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2020/01/20200122_CDS_2019-2020_FINAL.pdf |title=Pitzer College Common Data Set 2019-2020, Part C |publisher=Pitzer College |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref>
!2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/institutional-research/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2019/05/20190607_CDS_2018-2019_FINAL.pdf |title=Pitzer College Common Data Set 2018-2019, Part C |publisher=Pitzer College |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref>
!2017<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/institutional-research/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2018/02/Pitzer-College-Common-Data-Sets-2017-2018.pdf |title=Pitzer College Common Data Set 2017-2018, Part C |publisher=Pitzer College |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref>
!2016<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/institutional-research/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/02/Pitzer-College-Common-Data-Sets-2016-2017.pdf |title=Pitzer College Common Data Set 2016-2017, Part C |publisher=Pitzer College |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref>
!2015<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/institutional-research/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2014/05/Pitzer-College-_Common-Data-Sets_2015-2016.pdf |title=Pitzer College Common Data Set 2015-2016, Part C |publisher=Pitzer College |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref>
|-
|'''Applicants'''
|4,415
|4,358
|3,753
|4,142
|4,149
|-
|'''Admits'''
|605
|581
|608
|569
|559
|-
|'''Admit rate'''
|13.7%
|13.3%
|16.2%
|13.7%
|13.5%
|-
|'''Enrolled'''
|276
|273
|262
|268
|267
|-
|'''Yield rate'''
|45.6%
|47.0%
|43.1%
|47.1%
|47.8%
|-
|'''SAT range'''
|1350–1460
|1340–1490
|1310–1490
|1300–1450
|1250–1440
|-
|'''ACT range'''
|30–33
|30–33
|29–32
|29–32
|29–32
|}

Nearly two decades after becoming the first college on the West Coast to adopt an SAT-optional admission policy, Pitzer College switched to a test-free admission policy for at least three years, beginning with the admission cycle for fall 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/admission/test-free-policy/|title=First-Year Applicants |publisher=Pitzer College |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref> Admission to Pitzer College is rated as "most selective" by ''U.S. News & World Report''. For the Class of 2027, Pitzer College accepted 15.9% of applicants (enrolling fall 2023) with an average high school GPA of 4.07. Of the 32% of enrolled freshmen submitting [[SAT scores]], the middle 50% range was 1370–1460 for the composite score, 668–730 for evidence-based reading and writing, and 680–750 for math, while of the 28% of enrolled freshmen submitting [[ACT (test)|ACT]] results, the middle 50% range for the composite score was 30–33.<ref name=CDS/>

==Student body==
Pitzer College enrolls approximately 1000 students, making it the third largest of the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges ([[Claremont McKenna College|Claremont McKenna]] and [[Pomona College|Pomona]] have larger student bodies, while [[Harvey Mudd College|Harvey Mudd]] and [[Scripps College|Scripps]] are smaller). Pitzer College ranks 25th nationwide among all [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|Baccalaureate Colleges]] for percentage of its students who [[study abroad]], and Pitzer has the highest rate of study abroad among the Claremont Colleges. Students of color constitute over 49.6% of the total student body and Pitzer enrolls 10% international students, the third largest among the Claremont Consortium behind Pomona College (12%) and Claremont Mckenna College (16%).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of Institutional Research & Assessment - Institutional Research & Assessment |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/institutional-research/ |website=Institutional Research & Assessment |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106110933/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/institutional-research/ |archive-date=2016-01-06 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Community involvement===
[[File:Pitzer College students protesting for worker's rights at the McConnell Center.jpg|thumb|Pitzer students protest the firing of three dining hall workers for supporting union organizing.]]
The Pitzer College community is known for its involvement outside of the classroom. Its students, faculty, and staff donate over 100,000 hours to community service annually. The college has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll seven times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitzer College Honored for Commitment to Community Engagement |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/communications/2015/06/4005/ |website=Office of Communications |access-date=2016-01-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105232531/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/communications/2015/06/4005/ |archive-date=2015-11-05}}</ref>

Much of Pitzer's community engagement occurs in the Community Engagement Center (CEC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Community Engagement Center - Community Engagement Center |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/cec/ |website=Community Engagement Center |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221110232/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/cec/ |archive-date=2015-12-21 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The CEC runs the Pitzer in Ontario Program, a comprehensive semester-long service learning and cultural immersion program with a strong theoretical foundation in the human sciences informed by the best practices in the field of experiential education. The program integrates extensive internship experiences in city, private or non-profit organizations with interdisciplinary coursework that provides the theoretical framework from which social and urban issues can be evaluated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitzer in Ontario - Pitzer in Ontario |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/pio/ |website=Pitzer in Ontario |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116225203/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/pio/ |archive-date=2016-01-16 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

At the [[Campus Compact]] 20/20 Visioning Summit on October 17, 2006, the [[Corporation for National and Community Service]] recognized Pitzer as one of 28 California campuses distinguished for community service and [[Hurricane Katrina]] relief efforts. Pitzer College received [[Mother Jones (magazine)|''Mother Jones'']] Magazine 2006 Campus Activism for Thinking Outside of the Box.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Extra Credit: Campus Activism 2006 |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2006/09/extra-credit-campus-activism-2006 |website=Mother Jones |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 10 Activist Campuses |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2001/09/top-10-activist-campuses |website=Mother Jones |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref>

Pitzer College students including former [[California State Assembly|Speaker of the California State Assembly]] [[Fabian Nunez]] '97 helped in founding the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pomona Economic Opportunity Center - Community Engagement Center |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/cec/community-partners/core-partners/peoc/ |website=Community Engagement Center |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206104742/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/cec/community-partners/core-partners/peoc/ |archive-date=2015-12-06 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Through the Community Engagement Center, dozens of Pitzer students volunteer each semester with programs at [[Los Angeles County Probation Department|Camp Afflerbaugh]] and [[California Division of Juvenile Justice|California Youth Authority Chino]].

===Events and traditions===
'''Kohoutek Music and Arts Festival''' began in 1974 and is a student-run multi-day outdoor music and arts festival held each spring on the Pitzer campus. The event, which is free and open to all Claremont Colleges community members, is named after [[Comet Kohoutek]]. The festival generally includes student vendors, fire performances, a [[Farmers' market|farmers market]], and other activities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Security Check Required |url=https://www.facebook.com/kohoutekfestival/?fref=ts |website=www.facebook.com |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref>

Orientation Adventure is the pre-Welcome Week program for incoming students. Usually, students go on an outdoor adventure trip.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orientation Adventure |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/student-life/newstudentorientation/orientation-adventure/ |website=Pitzer College |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225083007/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/student-life/newstudentorientation/orientation-adventure/ |archive-date=2015-12-25 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Murals on the interiors and exteriors of campus buildings provide unique visual atmosphere to Pitzer college.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Murals and Outdoor Art |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/pitzercollege/albums/72157623216929124 |website=Flickr - Photo Sharing! |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref>

Snackie Snack is a free late-night snack served by the Pitzer Activities (PAct) Programming Board. During exam periods, Snackie Snack is served by the president and members of the cabinet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitzer Activities (PAct) |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/student-life/gold-student-center/pact/ |website=Pitzer College |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118033157/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/student-life/gold-student-center/pact/ |archive-date=2016-01-18 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Reggae Fest began in 2003 as a fall concert event. The festival runs over the course of a single day and features professional bands, free food, and beverages. In 2016, the [[Pitzer College Student Senate]] suspended funding for the event amid concerns that it was [[Cultural appropriation|culturally appropriative]] and disrespectful toward Jamaican culture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Azterbaum |first=Jonathan Chai-Chang |date=2016-09-30 |title=Pitzer Student Senate Freezes Reggae Fest Funds |url=https://tsl.news/news6012/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=The Student Life |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Student life==

===Club and intramural sports===
The school also has many options for intramural sports.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Pomona Pitzer Athletics | url=https://sagehens.com/sports/intramural | access-date=2025-03-28 | website=sagehens.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pomona Pitzer |url=http://www.pe.pomona.edu/landing/index |website=www.pe.pomona.edu |access-date=2016-01-13}}</ref>

===Gold Student Health and Wellness Center===
Originally opened in 1995, the Gold Student Health and Wellness Center was renovated and reopened in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold Student Health & Wellness Center |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/student-life/gold-student-center/ |website=Pitzer College |access-date=2016-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124193532/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/student-life/gold-student-center/ |archive-date=2016-01-24 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Residential Life Project===
The Residential Life Project is expected to be completed in three phases over the next 10 to 15 years. Phase I, which included Sanborn, Pitzer, and Atherton Halls, was completed and inaugurated in September 2007 and received [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED Gold recognition]] from the [[United States Green Building Council]] in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Residence Halls at Pitzer College Receive Gold LEED® Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/communications/2008/05/27/residence-halls-at-pitzer-college-receive-gold-leed-certification-by-the-u-s-green-building-council/ |website=Office of Communications |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819093453/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/communications/2008/05/27/residence-halls-at-pitzer-college-receive-gold-leed-certification-by-the-u-s-green-building-council/ |archive-date=2016-08-19 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Robert Redford and Ed Begley Jr. were the keynote speakers at the dedication ceremony of the Residential Life Project. Phase II, which incorporates four new residence halls, a demonstration kitchen, an archive, a board room and program/faculty offices, was completed in 2012 and earned LEED platinum certification.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitzer College First among Liberal Arts Colleges with Eight LEED Mixed-Use Residential Buildings |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/communications/2012/10/pitzer-college-first-among-liberal-arts-colleges-eight-leed-mixed-use-residential-buildings/ |website=Office of Communications |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331134117/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/communications/2012/10/pitzer-college-first-among-liberal-arts-colleges-eight-leed-mixed-use-residential-buildings/ |archive-date=2015-03-31 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

When Pitzer's Residential Life Project is complete, the college expects to become the first college in the nation to have all Gold or Platinum LEED certified residence halls.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planning Documents - Institutional Research & Assessment |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/institutional-research/planning-documents/ |website=Institutional Research & Assessment |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060530/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/institutional-research/planning-documents/ |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Student clubs and organizations===
Pitzer has more than 50 student clubs and organizations on campus, in addition to over 200 others within the Claremont Colleges consortium.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Student Organizations - Student Senate |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/student-senate/organizations/ |website=Student Senate |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112033039/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/student-senate/organizations/ |archive-date=2016-01-12 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Athletics==
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{{Main|Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens}}
{{Excerpt|Pomona College|Athletics|hat=no}}

===Athletics history===
Pitzer College began competing with Pomona College in 1970, when it was seven years old. The interim arrangement became permanent two years later.<ref name="Athletics history">{{cite web |title=Athletic History |url=http://www.sagehens.com/information/history |website=Sagehen Athletics |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818052219/http://www.sagehens.com/information/history |archive-date=August 18, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Cost and financial aid==
For the 2024–25 academic year, tuition is $64,888, a estimated total cost of attendance is $89,792.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cost of Attendance {{!}} Pitzer College |url=https://www.pitzer.edu/offices/financial-aid/cost-attendance |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.pitzer.edu |language=en}}</ref>  About thirty-seven percent of Pitzer students receive financial assistance in loans, work study, scholarships, and/or institutional grants. Pitzer utilizes the Federal [[FAFSA]] and the [[CSS Profile]] to determine financial need, and Pitzer has stated a commitment to meeting 100% of every student's demonstrated financial need. The average financial aid package at Pitzer is $40,250. Since 2004, the college has significantly reduced the average amount of indebtedness of its students to $19,422, well below the national average of more than $35,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Financial Award Information - Office of Financial Aid |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/financial-aid/financial-award-information/ |website=Office of Financial Aid |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128092018/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/financial-aid/financial-award-information/ |archive-date=2016-01-28 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=July 2020}}

==Notable alumni==
{{main|List of Pitzer College people}}
*[[Anne Archer]] 1969, actress
*[[Matthew Berkowitz]], filmmaker
*[[David Bloom]] 1985, news anchor
*[[Max Brooks]] 1994, author and lecturer
*[[Matthew Cooke (filmmaker)|Matthew Cooke]] 1996, filmmaker
*[[Dennis Cooper]], writer and performance artist
*[[John Darnielle]] 1995, novelist and singer
*[[Kevin de León]] 2003, president of the [[California State Senate]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reyes-Velarde |first1=Alejandra |title=Kevin de León's bid for mayor may be lagging. But he's resurrected himself before |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-05-30/kevin-de-leons-bid-for-mayor-may-be-lagging-but-hes-resurrected-himself-before |access-date=12 October 2023 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=30 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Matsuoka |first1=Aaron |title=Opinion: Pitzer should revoke Kevin de León's degree — or at least say something |url=https://tsl.news/pitzer-say-something/ |access-date=12 October 2023 |work=[[The Student Life]] |date=2 December 2022}}</ref>
*[[Eric Douglas]], actor and comedian
*[[Mablean Ephriam]] 1971, former prosecutor for the city of Los Angeles and actress
*[[Eli Erlick]] 2016, transgender activist
*[[Susan Feniger]] 1976, celebrity chef
*[[Tom Freund]] 1993, singer-songwriter and musician
*[[Amy Gerstler]] 1978, poet
*[[Steven González]] 1985, Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court
*[[Jenniphr Goodman]] 1984, writer/director
*[[Matthew Karatz]] 1994, deputy mayor of Los Angeles
*[[John Landgraf]] 1984, FX Network president
*[[J.Lately]] 2009, rapper<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2dopeboyz.com/tag/j-lately/ |title=j. lately - 2DOPEBOYZ |website=2dopeboyz.com}}</ref>
*[[Dana Levin (poet)|Dana Levin]] 1987, poet
*[[Hunter Lovins]], co-founder of [[Rocky Mountain Institute]]
*[[Setha Low]] 1969, anthropologist
*[[Jonah Matranga]] 1991, singer-songwriter
*[[Sandra Mitchell]] 1973, professor and philosopher of science
*[[Sharon Monsky]] 1975, founder of the [[Scleroderma Research Foundation]]
*[[Dee Mosbacher]], documentary filmmaker, gay rights activist, and psychiatrist<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Dee Mosbacher, Nanette Gartrell |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/16/fashion/weddings/16moss.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 16, 2005 |access-date=December 19, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Debbie Mucarsel-Powell]] 1992, member of the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] from [[Florida's 26th congressional district]]
*[[Matt Nathanson]] 1995, singer-songwriter and musician
*[[Ashwin Navin]] 1998, CEO of Sambaa
*[[Fabian Núñez]], former Speaker of the [[California State Assembly]]
*[[Susan Patron]] 1969, author
*[[Sarah Penna]] 2006, entrepreneur
*[[Nick Simmons]] 2011, reality television personality
*[[Sophie Simmons]] reality television personality
*[[Michael Simpson (producer)|Michael Simpson]] 1986, producer/composer
*[[Rob Magnuson Smith]] 1991, author
*[[Diana Vicezar]] 2023, Paraguayan entrepreneur
*[[Debra Wong Yang]] 1981, former [[United States Attorney]]

==Notable faculty==
*[[Halford Fairchild]], psychologist
*[[Judith Grabiner]], mathematician<ref>{{Cite web |title=Judith V. Grabiner, Professor of Mathematics |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/judith-grabiner/ |publisher=Pitzer College |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114085309/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/judith-grabiner/ |archive-date=2016-01-14 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[David Moore (psychologist)|David Moore]], psychologist<ref>{{Cite web |title=David Moore - Academics |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/david-moore/ |publisher=Pitzer College |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127195630/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/david-moore/ |archive-date=2015-11-27 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Gregg Popovich]], men's basketball coach
*[[Dana Ward]], political scientist
*[[Phil Zuckerman]], sociologist<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phil Zuckerman, Professor of Sociology |url=http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/phil-zuckerman/ |publisher=Pitzer College |access-date=2016-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203171654/http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/phil-zuckerman/ |archive-date=2015-12-03 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Pomona College#Athletics|Pomona-Pitzer College Athletics]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Pomona College PP landing">{{Cite web |title=Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens |url=http://www.sagehens.com/landing/index |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128235047/http://www.sagehens.com/landing/index |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |access-date=3 September 2018 |publisher=Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{ccat}}
* {{oweb}}
* [https://sagehens.com/ Athletics website]
* [https://tsl.news/ ''The Student Life''], college newspaper
* {{College-navigator|121257}}

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