Overview
Pomona College is a small, private liberal arts school that opened its doors way back in 1887. The campus sits in a quiet suburban area, spread across 140 acres of land. As of fall 2023, there are 1,761 undergrads studying here, and the school follows a semester-based schedule. When it comes to rankings, Pomona is a top-tier school—it’s #5 among all National Liberal Arts Colleges in the 2025 Best Colleges list. But quality comes at a price: tuition and fees add up to $65,420 per year.
Quick Facts (At-a-Glance)
- Location: Suburban (peaceful, tree-filled campus)
- Yearly Tuition & Fees: $65,420 (yep, it’s on the expensive side)
- Number of Undergrads: 1,761 (small, close-knit community)
- Acceptance Rate: Just 7% (super selective—harder to get into than most Ivy Leagues!)
Pomona’s Rankings (Why It Stands Out)
Pomona isn’t just highly ranked overall—it excels in specific areas too:
- #5 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tied with other elite schools)
- #3 in Best Value Schools (great financial aid helps balance the high cost)
- #57 in Economics (solid program, especially for a small college)
- #16 in Undergraduate Research (lots of hands-on opportunities)
- #7 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (professors really care)
- #10 in Most Innovative Schools (creative, forward-thinking vibe)
- #9 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (helps lower-income students succeed)
Out of 211 National Liberal Arts Colleges, Pomona lands at #5 based on factors like graduation rates, faculty quality, and student outcomes.
U.S. News Score Breakdown
- Overall Score: 95/100 (near-perfect!)
- Graduation Rates:
- 94% of students graduate within 6 years—way above average.
- Whether students receive Pell Grants (94%) or not (93%), they graduate at almost the same rate.
Admissions (How to Get In)
Getting into Pomona is tough—only 7% of applicants make the cut. If you’re aiming for admission, here’s what to expect:
- Test Scores (Middle 50% Range):
- SAT: 1480–1560
- ACT: 33–35
- (But remember, 25% of admitted students scored above this range, and 25% scored below.)
- Deadline: Applications are due January 8.
- Fee: $70 to apply.
What Matters Most?
- GPA (they care a lot about grades)
- Class Rank (if your school provides it)
- Letters of Recommendation (make sure they’re strong!)
Tuition & Financial Aid (The Cost Breakdown)
Pomona’s $65,420 sticker price is higher than the national average ($51,147). But don’t panic—financial aid brings the cost down for many students.
- Total Cost (Tuition + Room/Board + Expenses): $85,900/year
- Average Net Price (After Aid): $18,571 (for students who get need-based help)
What You’ll Actually Pay (Based on Family Income)
- $0–$30,000: $5,903/year
- $30,001–$48,000: $6,238/year
- $48,001–$75,000: $3,409/year
- $75,001–$110,000: $20,130/year
- $110,001+: $40,785/year
Room & Meals: $21,394/year (campus housing is the norm—97% of students live on-site).
Academics (Small Classes, Top-Notch Teaching)
With a 7:1 student-faculty ratio, Pomona feels like a tight-knit academic community. Most classes (71.4%) have fewer than 20 students, so you won’t get lost in a lecture hall.
Most Popular Majors (2023 Grads):
- Social Sciences (25%)
- Biology & Biomedical Sciences (12%)
- Computer Science (9%)
- Math & Statistics (7%)
- Physics & Chemistry (7%)
- Interdisciplinary Studies (6%)
- Cultural/Gender Studies (4%)
- Foreign Languages (4%)
- Arts (Visual & Performing) (4%)
- English & Literature (4%)
Freshman Retention Rate: 94% (almost everyone loves it enough to stay).
Student Life (Dorms, Sports, & More)
- Total Students: 1,761 undergrads (no grad students—it’s all undergrad-focused).
- Gender Split: 44.7% male, 55.2% female.
- Housing: 97% live on campus (dorms are a big part of the experience).
- Sports: NCAA Division III (competitive but not ultra-intense).
Campus & Safety
Pomona offers tons of support, including:
- Free tutoring, health services, career help, and a women’s center.
- 24/7 security (patrols, emergency phones, safe dorms).
- Alcohol Policy: Allowed for students 21+.