Oxy vs. Pomona

Comparable Facts

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

Occidental College is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Pomona College 7:1.

Oxy vs. Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy 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 Oxy ($19,938 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 10% lower than at Pomona College ($19,252 vs. $21,394).
• Occidental College is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $854 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Oxy than at Pomona College (about $854 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Pomona College (75% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 79.6% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($65,362 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Pomona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy 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 Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 80 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Pomona College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Pomona College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Pomona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

Oxy vs. Pomona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy 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 Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $12,652 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($11,000 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $131 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($113 vs. $244).

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.