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Pomona College

Claremont, CA·Private nonprofit·1,638 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $77,300 within 10 years; exceptional 93% graduation rate.

7%
Accept
1,638
Students
N/A
Net Price
93%
Grad Rate
$77,300
Earnings
10 yr
$11,782
Debt

About This School

Pomona College is a private nonprofit institution located in Claremont, California with approximately 1,638 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 7%. In-state tuition is $62,326 per year. The graduation rate is 93%, and the typical graduate earns $77,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

Pomona College is a private college in Claremont, California, United States. It was established in 1887 by a group of Congregationalists who wanted to recreate a "college of the New England type" in Southern California. In 1925, it became the founding member of the Claremont Colleges consortium of adjacent, affiliated institutions.

This is a strong option for students who want the intimacy of a small liberal arts college — just 1,638 undergrads — paired with the academic and social resources of the broader Claremont Colleges consortium. The 7% acceptance rate makes it genuinely selective, but students who get in tend to thrive: a 96% freshman retention rate and 93% graduation rate signal real satisfaction, not just prestige. Debt at graduation runs low at $11,782, and median earnings of $77,300 a decade out suggest solid long-term value, though career-focused students should know this is fundamentally a liberal arts environment, not a pre-professional pipeline.

Founded
1887
Mascot
Cecil the Sagehen

Notable Alumni

Jennifer DoudnaKris KristoffersonRichard ChamberlainMarianne WilliamsonRobert TaylorJoel McCreaArt ClokeyBrian SchatzRoy E. DisneyRosalind ChaoRobert TowneJason Beghe

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1520
Reading 75th %ile770
Math 75th %ile790

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite34

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$62,326
Out-of-State Tuition
$62,326
Avg Net Price
N/A
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants19%
Median debt at graduation$11,782

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
93%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
96%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$77,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$11,782
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$11,782
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$51,200
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$77,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 6.6x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White29%
Black11%
Hispanic/Latino17%
Asian18%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,638 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Pomona College

Claremont, CA

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Other Schools in California

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Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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