Pomona vs. Macalester College

Comparable Facts

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

Macalester College is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (2,138 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Macalester College is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Macalester College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; Macalester College 10:1.

Pomona vs. Macalester College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or Macalester 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 Macalester College ($19,938 vs. $40,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Macalester College are 26.3% lower than at Pomona College ($15,760 vs. $21,394).
• Macalester College is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $2,684 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Macalester College than at Pomona College (about $2,684 more per year; $68,104.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Macalester College than at Pomona College (87% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 52.8% larger than aid received by Macalester College students ($65,362 vs. $42,766).

Pomona vs. Macalester College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 100 points higher than at Macalester College (1430).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Macalester College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; Macalester College 1350/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; Macalester College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; Macalester College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Macalester College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Macalester College (3.81).
• Macalester College has a higher acceptance rate (28.5%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 21.9% at Macalester College.

Pomona vs. Macalester College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and Macalester 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 Macalester College's (87%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Macalester College graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $11,670 lower median loan debt than Macalester College graduates ($11,000 vs. $22,670).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Macalester College graduates ($113 vs. $234).

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.