Pomona vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Hamilton College is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (2,031 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; Hamilton College 9:1.

Pomona vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College ($19,938 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 18.2% lower than at Pomona College ($17,510 vs. $21,394).
• Hamilton College is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $3,540 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at Hamilton College than at Pomona College (about $3,540 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at Hamilton College (59% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($65,362 vs. $55,511).

Pomona vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 30 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Pomona students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Hamilton College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Pomona vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and Hamilton 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 Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $70,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $4,760 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($11,000 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($113 vs. $162).

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.