Pomona vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Francisco is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (8,913 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Pomona vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or USF? 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 USF ($19,938 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 7.6% lower than at Pomona College ($19,764 vs. $21,394).
• Pomona College is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF (about $4,928 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Pomona than at University of San Francisco (about $4,928 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at Pomona College (95% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 88.2% larger than aid received by University of San Francisco students ($65,362 vs. $34,723).

Pomona vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 240 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 6% at USF.

Pomona vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and USF? 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 University of San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $100 more per year than USF graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $70,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($11,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($113 vs. $258).

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.