Pomona vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Clara University is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

Pomona vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or SCU? 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 SCU ($19,938 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 7% lower than at Pomona College ($19,893 vs. $21,394).
• Pomona College is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $4,127 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at Pomona than at Santa Clara University (about $4,127 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at Pomona College (71% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 130.4% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($65,362 vs. $28,368).

Pomona vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 110 points higher than at SCU (1420).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at SCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 17.7% at SCU.

Pomona vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and SCU? 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 Santa Clara University's (85%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $70,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($11,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($113 vs. $222).

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.