Pomona vs. Bowdoin College

Comparable Facts

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

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

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Bowdoin College is in Brunswick, ME (Distant Town setting).
• Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowdoin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; Bowdoin College 9:1.

Pomona vs. Bowdoin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or Bowdoin College? 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 Bowdoin College ($19,938 vs. $22,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowdoin College are 13.6% lower than at Pomona College ($18,488 vs. $21,394).
• Bowdoin College is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $2,412 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Bowdoin College than at Pomona College (about $2,412 more per year; $67,832.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at Bowdoin College (59% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 4% larger than aid received by Bowdoin College students ($65,362 vs. $62,872).

Pomona vs. Bowdoin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pomona or Bowdoin College? 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 Bowdoin College and Pomona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Bowdoin College (1510).
• Incoming Pomona students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Bowdoin College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; Bowdoin College 1470/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; Bowdoin College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; Bowdoin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Bowdoin College Jan 5, 2027.
• Bowdoin College has a higher acceptance rate (7.1%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 53.6% at Bowdoin College.

Pomona vs. Bowdoin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and Bowdoin College? 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 Bowdoin College's (92%).
• Graduates from Bowdoin College earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,000 vs. $70,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $7,833 lower median loan debt than Bowdoin College graduates ($11,000 vs. $18,833).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowdoin College graduates ($113 vs. $194).

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.