California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Claremont McKenna

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Pomona in Pomona, CA with Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Claremont McKenna College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Claremont McKenna College 8:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Claremont McKenna Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Claremont McKenna? 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 State Polytechnic University Pomona than Claremont McKenna ($11,940 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 19.9% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($16,682 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 773.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $60,200 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 233.6% higher at Claremont McKenna than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $47,600 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at Claremont McKenna College (74% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 344.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($52,605 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Claremont McKenna Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Claremont McKenna? 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 Claremont McKenna and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 390 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 23 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Claremont McKenna College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; Claremont McKenna - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 53.8% at Claremont McKenna.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Claremont McKenna Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and Claremont McKenna? 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).

• Claremont McKenna College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $42,400 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $4,033 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($14,967 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($154 vs. $196).

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.