Pomona vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Pomona vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt ($19,938 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pomona College are 3% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($21,394 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pomona (about $2,078 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Vanderbilt than at Pomona College (about $2,078 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $65,420.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Pomona College (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 1.5% larger than aid received by Vanderbilt University students ($65,362 vs. $64,404).

Pomona vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have the same average high school GPA (3.89) as students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (7.1%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Pomona vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $70,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Vanderbilt graduates ($11,000 vs. $14,000).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanderbilt graduates ($113 vs. $144).

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.