Claremont McKenna vs. Pomona

Comparable Facts

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

Pomona College is larger than Claremont McKenna based on total student enrollment (1,700 students vs. 1,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Pomona College 7:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna 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 Pomona College than Claremont McKenna ($19,938 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claremont McKenna College are 2.6% lower than at Pomona College ($20,830 vs. $21,394).
• Claremont McKenna College is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $2,560 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Pomona College (about $2,560 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at Claremont McKenna College (59% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 24.3% larger than aid received by Claremont McKenna College students ($65,362 vs. $52,605).

Claremont McKenna vs. Pomona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 10 points higher than at Claremont McKenna (1520).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Pomona (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Pomona College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Pomona College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Pomona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have the same average high school GPA (3.89) as students at Pomona (3.89).
• Claremont McKenna has a higher acceptance rate (9.6%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

Claremont McKenna vs. Pomona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna College's (91%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $70,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $3,967 lower median loan debt than Claremont McKenna graduates ($11,000 vs. $14,967).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claremont McKenna graduates ($113 vs. $154).

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.