Pomona vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

Compare Pomona College in Claremont, CA with San Jose State University in San Jose, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Jose State University is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

Pomona vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University than Pomona ($13,892 vs. $19,938).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose State University are 2% lower than at Pomona College ($20,971 vs. $21,394).
• Pomona College is 677.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $57,010 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 211.4% higher at Pomona than at San Jose State University (about $44,410 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at Pomona College (63% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 429.1% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($65,362 vs. $12,353).

Pomona vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pomona or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State and Pomona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 400 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

Pomona vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than San Jose State graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $59,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than San Jose State graduates ($11,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose State graduates ($113 vs. $155).

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.