UCSD vs. Pomona

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; Pomona College 7:1.

UCSD vs. Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than Pomona ($14,047 vs. $19,938).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 11.3% lower than at Pomona College ($18,970 vs. $21,394).
• Pomona College is 290.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $48,662 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.4% higher at Pomona than at University of California San Diego (about $14,462 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego as at Pomona College (59% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 153.8% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($65,362 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. Pomona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 150 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Pomona College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Pomona College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Pomona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

UCSD vs. Pomona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's (85%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($11,000 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($113 vs. $191).

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.