Pomona vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Pomona vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or Grinnell? 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 Grinnell ($19,938 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 21.3% lower than at Pomona College ($16,842 vs. $21,394).
• Grinnell College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $2,686 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Grinnell than at Pomona College (about $2,686 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Pomona College (94% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($65,362 vs. $49,077).

Pomona vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 50 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Grinnell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have the same average high school GPA (3.89) as students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Pomona vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and Grinnell? 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 Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $2,170 lower median loan debt than Grinnell graduates ($11,000 vs. $13,170).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Grinnell graduates ($113 vs. $136).

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.