Acceptance Rate
7%
Avg. SAT
1560
75th percentile
“Pomona College wraps you in the tight-knit intellectual buzz of a true liberal arts haven, amplified by the shared playground of five neighboring Claremont Colleges.”
Claremont, CA
Location
Large Suburb
Campus Setting
You arrive at Pomona knowing its founders—New England Congregationalists in 1887—aimed to plant a rigorous, coeducational outpost amid California's orange groves, making it the West Coast's first such venture. Today, you'll thrive here if you're a curious, collaborative thinker who craves deep discussions over hierarchy, drawn to its understated progressivism and outdoorsy streak amid Claremont's leafy, sun-drenched suburbs. The college's personality shines as unpretentious yet fiercely selective—more exclusive than 93% of U.S. schools—fostering quirky individualists who hike the nearby San Gabriels or debate policy in coffee shops. But tradeoffs loom: Claremont feels like a quiet academic bubble 35 miles east of Los Angeles, perfect for focus but isolating if you hunger for urban pulse; relentless Southern California heat tests your patience from May to October.
Photo Gallery
+40
+32
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Pomona's classrooms, professors lead seminars where your voice shapes the debate, thanks to that golden 7:1 student-faculty ratio that dwarfs most peers—picture dissecting economic inequality with an expert who's consulted for the Fed, or partnering on molecular biology fieldwork before sophomore year. Strengths pulse in environmental analysis, where you model climate impacts using real-time data from consortium partners, neuroscience through the joint program with Claremont McKenna, and politics, fueling mock UN triumphs. Research abounds even for freshmen via summer grants, but expect a demanding core curriculum that weeds out the uncommitted; the intellectual culture rewards bold interdisciplinarians over narrow specialists, though grade inflation stays in check compared to nearby UCs.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,700 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
29%
Black / African American
11%
Hispanic / Latino
16%
Asian
18%
Other / Multi-racial
26%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Claremont, CA
Varsity Athletics
Your week pulses with morning lectures, afternoon club hikes, and evening hall hangs in one of 13 quirky residences—from the vintage artsy vibe of Clark I to the eco-focused Frary dining hall feasts. Social life leans intimate and inclusive, with over 250 clubs sparking improv troupes, Model UN road trips, or a cappella battles, plus traditions like the boisterous Harveston fall festival complete with student-run booths and live music. You'll bond over Sagehen athletics tailgates or consortium-wide parties at Pitzer's farm, but the vibe stays more activist-coffeehouse than frat-rager—Greek life absent, drinking subdued. Challenges include the small pond's occasional drama and scorching summers that push indoor socializing, yet the consortium's 5,000 undergrads nearby expand your circle without overwhelming intimacy.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
NCAA
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$2,285
$30K – $48K
$3,508
$48K – $75K
$5,830
$75K – $110K
$12,676
$110K+
$41,881
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
98%
4 Years Graduation Rate
89%
6 Years Graduation Rate
94%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$77,779
98% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Pomona College and return in the fall. 89% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 94% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
89%
4-6 years
5%
Non-grad
6%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$58,818
Acceptance
7%
Undergrads
1,700
4-Year Grad Rate
89%
Endowment
$1.7B
Claremont, CA 91711-6319
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