UCSB vs. Pomona

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 17:1; Pomona College 7:1.

UCSB vs. Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB 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 Santa Barbara than Pomona ($17,658 vs. $19,938).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Barbara are 5.2% lower than at Pomona College ($20,279 vs. $21,394).
• Pomona College is 298.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $49,006 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at Pomona than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $14,806 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at University of California Santa Barbara (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 164.7% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($65,362 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. Pomona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB 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 UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 180 points higher than at UCSB (1350).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UCSB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Pomona College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Pomona College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Pomona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB 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 UCSB (3.82).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

UCSB vs. Pomona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB 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 Santa Barbara's (80%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $5,451 lower median loan debt than UCSB graduates ($11,000 vs. $16,451).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSB graduates ($113 vs. $170).

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.