UC Berkeley vs. Pomona

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Pomona College 7:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Pomona? 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 University of California Berkeley than Pomona ($16,538 vs. $19,938).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pomona College are 9.9% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($21,394 vs. $23,750).
• Pomona College is 300.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $49,073 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.4% higher at Pomona than at University of California Berkeley (about $14,873 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at University of California Berkeley (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 120.8% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($65,362 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. Pomona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 110 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at UC Berkeley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Pomona College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Pomona College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Pomona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UC Berkeley (3.87).
• UC Berkeley has a higher acceptance rate (11%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

UC Berkeley vs. Pomona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Pomona? 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 California Berkeley's (90%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $70,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $3,200 lower median loan debt than UC Berkeley graduates ($11,000 vs. $14,200).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Berkeley graduates ($113 vs. $146).

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.