Caltech vs. Pomona

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Pomona College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of Technology is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Pomona College 7:1.

Caltech vs. Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech or Pomona? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Institute of Technology than Pomona ($14,513 vs. $19,938).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 5.2% lower than at Pomona College ($20,283 vs. $21,394).
• California Institute of Technology is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $478 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Caltech than at Pomona College (about $478 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at California Institute of Technology (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 10.7% larger than aid received by Pomona College students ($72,373 vs. $65,362).

Caltech vs. Pomona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech or Pomona? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pomona and Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 30 points higher than at Pomona (1530).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Pomona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Pomona College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Pomona College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Pomona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Pomona (3.89).
• Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (7.1%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

Caltech vs. Pomona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech and Pomona? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Pomona College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than California Institute of Technology's (87%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $70,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $3,350 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($11,000 vs. $14,350).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($113 vs. $148).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.