Home Colleges California Pomona College
Private 4-Year Highly Selective Claremont, CA NCAA Division III with football

Pomona College

Claremont, CA

7.1%
Acceptance Rate
$89,414/yr
Est. Cost of Attendancesum of published cost components
$19,285/yr
Avg Price After Aid
93.2%
6-yr Grad Rate
1,666
Undergrads

About Pomona College

Pomona College is a private nonprofit university with an acceptance rate of 7.1% and undergraduate enrollment of 1,666. The student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1, with a 6-year graduation rate of 93.2%. Cost of attendance is $89,414, and the college has a $3 billion endowment.

Type
Private 4-Year
Undergrads
1,666
Avg Faculty Salary
$135,767
Athletics
NCAA Division III with football
Endowment
$3B
Pell Students
19.5%
First-Gen
29.9%
What Pomona College Is Known For
Majors far more concentrated here than at colleges nationally
Molecular Biology 25 graduates · 5.5% of degrees here vs 0.04% nationally 134×
Public Policy Analysis 19 graduates · 4.2% of degrees here vs 0.1% nationally 44×
Neuroscience 33 graduates · 7.3% of degrees here vs 0.49% nationally 15×
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics 44 graduates · 9.8% of degrees here vs 0.76% nationally 13×
Computer Science 65 graduates · 14.4% of degrees here vs 2.26% nationally
SOURCEIPEDS Completions 2023, against the national share at the same degree level
Admissions
7.1%
Acceptance rate · Highly Selective
13%
ED Rate
12,121
Applicants
Can I Get In? →
Cost & Aid
$19,285 avg net
Average net price after aid
$4,841
Under $30K income
$3B
Endowment
Can I Afford It? →
Outcomes
$60,850 median
Median earnings 6 years after entering
93.2%
6-yr Grad Rate
$11,782
Median Debt
Is It Worth It? →

Pomona College Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Acceptance Rate
7.1%
12,121 applicants
Early Decision Rate
13%
ED applications: 1,726

Pomona College is highly selective, with a 7.1% acceptance rate and an undergraduate enrollment of 1,666 students. The college maintains a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and reports a 93.2% six-year graduation rate.

How Selective Is That, Really?
Each dot is one of 100 applicants · Source: school's Common Data Set, else College Scorecard
1 in 14 applicants is admitted · 12,121 applied
10-Year Acceptance Rate Trend
10-year trend · Source: College Scorecard
10 years

SAT & ACT Score Ranges

Where Admitted Students Score
Middle 50% of enrolled students, on the full SAT scale · Source: College Scorecard (IPEDS)
Fall 2023
1490–1560
40080012001600
Class Rank Profile
25% of students submitted rank · Source: Common Data Set
Top 10th of class
90.3%
Top quarter
99.2%
Top half
100%
Waitlist Statistics
Source: Common Data Set
937
Offered spot
680
Accepted offer
58
Admitted from WL
Who Applies, and Who Gets In
First-year applicants, admits and enrollees by gender
Applied Admitted Rate Enrolled
Men 4,985 377 7.6% 189
Women 7,133 440 6.2% 217
SOURCEIPEDS Admissions — Fall 2023 admissions cycle
How These Admissions Numbers Compare
Against the colleges this school should be measured against
Median

Pomona College admits 7.1% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.

Acceptance rate
This school
7.1%
Similar colleges (1,009)
73.8%
CA (130)
76.5%
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (70)
74.9%
National (1,934)
78.1%

Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.

Pomona College Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance

Avg Net Price
$19,285
Average for all students receiving federal aid, 2023-24
Median Federal Debt
$11,782
Federal Loan Rate
9.4%
Students borrowing federal loans

Pomona College costs $89,414 annually. With a substantial $3 billion endowment, the college serves 19.5% Pell grant recipients, indicating financial aid accessibility for lower-income students.

Cost of Attendance Breakdown
Estimated annual costs · on-campus, 2023-24 · Source: College Scorecard
$89,414
Tuition & Fees
$65,420
73%
Room & Board
$21,394
24%
Books & Supplies
$1,100
1%
Other Expenses
$1,500
2%

What You'd Actually Pay by Family Income

What You'd Actually Pay by Family Income
Average net price after all grants and scholarships · Source: College Scorecard (IPEDS net price)
Under $30,000
$4,841
$30,001 – $48,000
$7,026
$48,001 – $75,000
$17,054
$75,001 – $110,000
$15,719
Over $110,000
$37,842

* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.

Full Cost of Attendance
Source: College Scorecard
2023-24

Student Loan Debt

How Many Students Borrow
Undergraduates taking on any loan
Take out a loan
52%
Federal loans
9%

Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $125.

SOURCECollege Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education
How This Price Compares
Against the colleges this school should be measured against
Median

After aid, Pomona College costs $19,285 a year — about 15% less than a typical similar college.

Cost of attendance
This school
$85,300
Similar colleges (1,094)
$49,718
CA (253)
$22,850
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (124)
$28,033
National (3,197)
$25,367
Students taking a loan
This school
52.1%
Similar colleges (998)
91.8%
CA (409)
84.4%
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (202)
86.6%
National (4,096)
86.4%
Median debt at graduation
This school
$11,782
Similar colleges (1,032)
$24,977
CA (416)
$10,750
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (212)
$12,419
National (4,347)
$13,097
Average net price
This school
$19,285
Similar colleges (1,105)
$22,585
CA (503)
$20,807
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (257)
$21,840
National (5,106)
$17,160

Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.

Pomona College Graduation Rate & Student Outcomes

6-yr Grad Rate
93.2%
Median Earnings 6yr
$60,850
6 years after entering

Pomona College has a 93.2% six-year graduation rate and median earnings of $60,850 six years after enrollment and $77,779 ten years after enrollment.

Graduate Earnings After College

Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
6 and 10 years after entering · includes all students, not just graduates · Source: College Scorecard
Median Earnings by Gender · 6 Years After Entering
Students working 6 years after entering · Source: College Scorecard
$75,906
Men
$57,311
Women
Graduation Rate: Pell vs. Non-Pell
6-year graduation rate by grant status · Source: College Scorecard
94%
Pell recipients
100%
Non-Pell students

Top Majors & Programs

Top Majors by Graduates
Most recent year available · bachelor's degrees only · Source: IPEDS Completions 2023
MajorGraduates
Computer Science65
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics44
Neuroscience33
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other29
Mathematics, General26
Molecular Biology25
Political Science and Government, General22
Environmental Science19
Public Policy Analysis, General19
Physics, General17
Graduation Rate by Race & Ethnicity
Completing within six years
Asian
98.5%
Hispanic
95.5%
White
94.6%
Black
85.7%
SOURCECollege Scorecard — groups with too few students to report are omitted
Earnings Further Out
The longer horizon

Median earnings eight years after entering Pomona College are $68,385, and 64% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.

SOURCECollege Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education
How These Outcomes Compare
Against the colleges this school should be measured against
Median

Six years after entry, former Pomona College students earn $60,850 — 34% more than at a typical similar college.

Median earnings, 10 years
This school
$77,779
Similar colleges (1,077)
$54,064
CA (462)
$41,247
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (239)
$41,472
National (4,696)
$40,782
Median earnings, 6 years
This school
$60,850
Similar colleges (1,077)
$45,468
CA (488)
$36,007
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (250)
$35,608
National (4,847)
$35,433
Graduation rate
This school
93.2%
Similar colleges (1,074)
58.1%
CA (168)
61.2%
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (94)
62.7%
National (2,168)
52.3%
Freshman retention
This school
96.7%
Similar colleges (1,117)
76.6%
CA (124)
81.4%
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (68)
80.1%
National (1,841)
75.7%

Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.

Pomona College Campus, Athletics & Faculty

Pomona College is a private nonprofit institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,666 students and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics, including football.

Student Demographics
Undergraduate enrollment · Source: College Scorecard / IPEDS
Race & Ethnicity
White
28.3%
Asian
18.7%
Hispanic
17.2%
Black
9.2%
Other Indicators
First-generation
29.9%
Pell grant recipients
19.5%
Women
55.2%
Pomona College Athletics
Total Revenue
$3.5M
Total Expense
$3.1M
Athletes
585
323 men · 262 women
Head Coach Salaries
Men's vs Women's programs · Source: Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act
Men's sports
$73,101
Women's sports
$69,276

Average head coach salary by program gender.

Academic Resources
235
Full-time faculty
$135,767
Avg faculty salary
2,170
FT staff
$3B
Endowment
Faculty Salary by Gender
All instructional ranks combined · Source: IPEDS Human Resources
Men (avg)
$145,285
Women (avg)
$126,488
Overall avg
$135,767
Who Is on Campus
Beyond the undergraduate headcount
Varsity Athletes
Play a varsity sport
31.6%

516 of 1,635 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.

SOURCEIPEDS enrollment; Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act filings
Online & Distance Learning
How much of the teaching happens remotely
Undergrads fully online
0%
Undergrads taking any
0%

0 of 1,664 undergraduates study entirely at a distance.

SOURCEIPEDS Fall Enrollment, distance education status

Pomona College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.

How This Campus Compares
Against the colleges this school should be measured against
Median

Pomona College spends $25,062 per student on research — about a typical similar college.

Pell grant share
This school
19.5%
Similar colleges (1,171)
32.8%
CA (541)
43.5%
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (276)
48.4%
National (5,367)
40.1%
Research spending per student
This school
$25,062
Similar colleges (1,164)
$6,264
CA (193)
$6,054
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (96)
$5,525
National (2,823)
$5,605
Students per faculty member
This school
7:1
Similar colleges (1,191)
12:1
CA (559)
19:1
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (285)
19:1
National (5,427)
15:1

Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.

Every Major at Pomona College
38 fields of study, bachelor's degree level, grouped by subject area
451 graduates
Social Sciences 81 grads · 5 majors
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics 44
Political Science and Government, General 22
International Relations and Affairs 8
Anthropology, General 4
Sociology, General 3
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 70 grads · 3 majors
Neuroscience 33
Molecular Biology 25
Biology/Biological Sciences, General 12
Computer and Information Sciences 65 grads · 1 major
Computer Science 65
Multidisciplinary Studies 45 grads · 4 majors
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 29
Cognitive Science, General 11
Medieval and Renaissance Studies 3
Science, Technology and Society 2
Physical Sciences 28 grads · 3 majors
Physics, General 17
Chemistry, General 10
Geology/Earth Science, General 1
Mathematics and Statistics 26 grads · 1 major
Mathematics, General 26
Natural Resources and Conservation 19 grads · 1 major
Environmental Science 19
Public Administration and Social Services 19 grads · 1 major
Public Policy Analysis, General 19
Psychology 17 grads · 1 major
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other 17
History 14 grads · 1 major
History, General 14
Communication and Journalism 12 grads · 1 major
Mass Communication/Media Studies 12
Philosophy and Religious Studies 12 grads · 2 majors
Philosophy 8
Religion/Religious Studies 4
Area, Ethnic and Gender Studies 12 grads · 5 majors
Women's Studies 4
Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and... 3
African-American/Black Studies 2
German Studies 2
Asian Studies/Civilization 1
English Language and Literature 11 grads · 1 major
English Language and Literature, General 11
Foreign Languages and Linguistics 11 grads · 5 majors
Linguistics 5
Classics and Classical Languages,... 2
French Language and Literature 2
Chinese Language and Literature 1
Spanish Language and Literature 1
Visual and Performing Arts 9 grads · 3 majors
Fine/Studio Arts, General 5
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General 3
Art History, Criticism and Conservation 1
SOURCEIPEDS Completions 2023 — first majors only, so a student with a double major is counted once

Pomona College Location & Campus Safety

Pomona College is in Claremont, CA, in what IPEDS classifies as a large suburb setting. The campus sits about 1.8 miles from the center of Claremont. There are 28 other colleges within 25 miles, and Claremont, CA is 1.8 miles away.

Pomona College Other colleges within 30 miles
Large suburb
Campus Setting
1.8 mi
To City Center
28
Colleges Within 25 mi
36,553
Claremont Population
Living in Claremont
Cost of living and getting around, for the whole city — not the campus
ACS 2023
$2,125
Median Rent / mo
$122,127
Median Household Income
34.8%
Rent as % of Income
How People Commute
Drive alone
57.2%
Walk
9%
Public transit
1.5%

Los Angeles County scores 13.5 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.

Undergraduates make up about 16.1% of Claremont's residents.

SOURCEU.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates; EPA National Walkability Index
Colleges Near Pomona College
Within 30 miles, at least 500 students, by straight-line distance
Claremont McKenna College 1,388 students 0.3 mi
Harvey Mudd College 921 students 0.6 mi
SOURCEIPEDS campus coordinates, Pomona College to each campus

Campus Safety at Pomona College

Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Pomona College reported for 2024.

52
On-Campus Offenses
3
In Residence Halls
30.6
Per 1,000 Students
7
Domestic, Dating & Stalking

Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.

Reported On-Campus Offenses by Year
Criminal offenses reported on campus, including residence halls · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act disclosures
2022
55
2023
43
2024
52
What Was Reported in 2024
On-campus criminal offenses by category
Motor vehicle theft
39
Burglary
8
Sexual offenses
4
Arson
1

Separately, Pomona College reported 36 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.

SOURCEU.S. Department of Education, Campus Safety and Security — Clery Act disclosures, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pomona College admissions, costs, and outcomes.