Pomona vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Pomona College in Claremont, CA with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rice University is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; Rice University 6:1.

Pomona vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or Rice? 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 Rice ($19,938 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 15.4% lower than at Pomona College ($18,100 vs. $21,394).
• Pomona College is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $1,276 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Pomona than at Rice University (about $1,276 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at Rice University (59% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 16.3% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($65,362 vs. $56,199).

Pomona vs. Rice Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 10 points higher than at Pomona (1530).
• Incoming Pomona students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Pomona (3.89).
• Rice has a higher acceptance rate (8%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Pomona vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and Rice? 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 Rice University's (92%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $70,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $773 lower median loan debt than Pomona graduates ($10,227 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pomona graduates ($105 vs. $113).

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.