Pomona vs. Carleton College

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Pomona vs. Carleton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or Carleton 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 Carleton College ($19,938 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 17.8% lower than at Pomona College ($17,586 vs. $21,394).
• Carleton College is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $3,472 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Carleton College than at Pomona College (about $3,472 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College as at Carleton College (59% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 15% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($65,362 vs. $56,846).

Pomona vs. Carleton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Carleton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; Carleton College 1450/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; Carleton College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; Carleton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Pomona (3.89).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Pomona vs. Carleton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and Carleton 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 Carleton College's (93%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($11,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($113 vs. $201).

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.