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Pomona College

Claremont, CA·Private nonprofit·1,666 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
1,666
Students
$19,285
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 1,666 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 7%. The average net price after financial aid is $19,285 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
Setting
Large suburb
Mascot
Cecil the Sagehen
Avg Faculty Salary
$15,085

Popular Programs

Social Sciences18%
Biological Sciences16%
Computer Science14%
Psychology4%
Communications3%
Visual & Performing Arts2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

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

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1534
Reading 75th %ile770
Math 75th %ile790

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite34

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$65,420
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,420
Avg Net Price
$19,285
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$4,841
$30–48k$7,026
$48–75k$17,054
$75–110k$15,719
$110k+$37,842

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants20%
Median debt at graduation$11,782

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
93%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
98%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$77,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$11,782
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$65,200
Female graduates$35,500

Gap: 46% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

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

White28%
Black9%
Hispanic/Latino17%
Asian19%
Two or more races9%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander1%
International14%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,666 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Pomona College

550 N College Ave

Claremont, CA 91711-4434

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in California

Browse all California schools →

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.
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