Pomona vs. Colby College

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Pomona vs. Colby College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or Colby 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 Colby College than Pomona ($16,219 vs. $19,938).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 16.4% lower than at Pomona College ($17,890 vs. $21,394).
• Colby College is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $4,180 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at Colby College than at Pomona College (about $4,180 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at Colby College (59% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Pomona College students ($69,201 vs. $65,362).

Pomona vs. Colby College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Colby College (1510).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colby College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; Colby College 1460/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; Colby College 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; Colby College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Colby 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. 46.2% at Colby College.

Pomona vs. Colby College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and Colby 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 Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $70,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $8,345 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($11,000 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($113 vs. $200).

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.