Pomona College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Claremont, California · Private nonprofit · Most selective · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- Early Decision
- Early Decision II
- 12,470
- Applicants
- 890
- Admitted7%
- 421
- Enrolled
- 47%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Most selective7% admittedRanked #3 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges; Computer Science #110 (tie), Economics #62 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Pomona College (see the source), read on 2026-09-24.
Is Pomona College a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Pomona College against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Pomona College is a private nonprofit university in Claremont, California that admits about 7% of applicants, making it a most selective school. The average family pays about $19,285 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 92% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 31.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Pomona College is a private institution located in Claremont, California and one of the most selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Pomona College admits fewer than 1 in 10 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 7%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1520 and an ACT composite around 34. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,285 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Pomona College?
Successful applicants to Pomona College typically present unweighted GPAs at or near 4.0 with the most rigorous course load their school offers, including multiple AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses.
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What does Pomona College weight in admissions?
Pomona College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
8- Rigor of secondary school record
- Class rank
- Academic GPA
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
Considered
5- Standardized test scores
- First generation status
- Geographical residence
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not Considered
5- Interview
- Alumni/ae relation
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores Pomona College typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 750–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 750. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–35. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.
| 25th percentile | 1490 |
| 50th percentile | 1520 |
| 75th percentile | 1550 |
| % submitting SAT | 37% |
| 25th percentile | 32 |
| 50th percentile | 34 |
| 75th percentile | 34 |
| % submitting ACT | 12% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Test-optional; if sending ACT, Pomona requires the Science section too.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Pomona College's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Pomona College actually cost?
Published tuition is $65,420 for in-state students and $65,420 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $21,394 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $19,285 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $71,660 |
| Room and board | $23,590 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $19,285 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 100% |
| Average need-based grant | $69,920 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 18% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $22,838 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA and CSS Profile (incl. noncustodial parent)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $80 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Pomona College
| Regular deadline | 1/8 |
| Notification date | 4/1 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 8 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 8 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 14% |
Will my child graduate from Pomona College?
These predict outcomes at Pomona College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Pomona College
The most popular undergraduate programs at Pomona College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics. Across all programs, Pomona College confers roughly 224 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $131,742 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 50 | n/a |
| Economics | 47 | $131,742 |
| Mathematics | 31 | n/a |
| Political Science and Government | 25 | n/a |
| Communication and Media Studies | 18 | n/a |
| Biology, General | 18 | n/a |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 18 | n/a |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 17 | n/a |
Is Pomona College safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Pomona College disclosed 52 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 31.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 4 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Pomona College?
About 97% of undergraduates at Pomona College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
Next steps for Pomona College
Common questions parents ask about Pomona College
What GPA do I need for Pomona College?
Successful applicants to Pomona College typically present unweighted GPAs at or near 4.0 with the most rigorous course load their school offers, including multiple AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses.
What SAT or ACT score does Pomona College typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 750–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 750. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–35.
How much does Pomona College actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Pomona College after grants and scholarships is $19,285 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $65,420. Budget against the net figure.
Is Pomona College realistic for my child?
Pomona College admits 7% of applicants, so 750–790 SAT Math is target range and below 750 is a reach. Then check the $19,285 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Pomona College?
Pomona College accepts about 7% of applicants out of roughly 12,470 who apply each year. That makes it a most selective school.
Is Pomona College test-optional?
Yes. Pomona College is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Pomona College?
About 92% of students at Pomona College graduate within six years, and 72% finish in four years. 95% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Pomona College?
Pomona College's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 14%, compared with its overall rate of 7%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Pomona College look for in applicants?
Pomona College rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and the application essay as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Pomona College a public or private school, and where is it located?
Pomona College is a private nonprofit institution located in Claremont, California.
What are the most popular majors at Pomona College?
The largest undergraduate majors at Pomona College by annual graduates are Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics. The school awards about 224 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Pomona College safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Pomona College reported 52 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 31.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Pomona College?
At Pomona College, 97% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Pomona College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers