Claremont, CA 
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From Pomona
Pomona’s close-knit student body is diverse in background and academic pursuits yet unified by a spirit of collaboration and commitment to sparking real change in our world. Students come to Pomona from all 50 states and from 65 countries around the world. Our liberal arts education both broad and deep, preparing students for action and intellectual engagement in a fast-changing world. Students leave our campus ready to apply their knowledge in the real world.
Located in Claremont, Calif., a tree-lined residential community of 35,000 near the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, students are within 50 miles of all that Southern California has to offer—from academic and cultural centers, theme parks and attractions, to the desert, mountains and beaches. The founding member of The Claremont Colleges, Pomona is one of five undergraduate colleges that make up our unique consortium located within one square mile and only a short walk from one another.
Pomona is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need with a loan-free financial aid award, and practices need-blind admissions for US citizens, permanent residents and undocumented students. Pomona is committed to supporting our students’ drive to excel through personal, professional and financial support.
Events & Resources
Perspectives on Pomona (POP) Fall Fly-In
Through Fall Perspectives on Pomona (POP), we offer prospective students insights into life at Pomona College, opportunities to learn and connect with our inspiring professors, and invitations to open discussions with current students. The On-Campus program will take place Sunday, October 6 through Tuesday, October 8 in Claremont, California. The two Virtual programs will consist of one half-day remote session on the evening of Thursday, October 24 and the morning of Saturday, October 26. Applications are due Monday, August 12, 2024 for those who wish to be considered for the On-Campus program and Friday, September 30, 2024 for those who wish to be considered for the Virtual program exclusively.
DATE: October 06, 2024
From the Nest
Who better to tell you about academics, social life, research & internships, life in Southern California, or the experiences of FLI (first-generation and/or low-income) and BIPOC students at Pomona than actual Pomona students? During remote learning, we launched a series of student-to-student Zoom presentations, and we continue them now to give prospective students insights into our Sagehens' experiences. Our students will come to you "from the nest" on campus.
Estimate Your Aid Calculator
Use our interactive calculators for an estimate of how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive and what your overall cost to attend Pomona might be.
No-Hassle Fee Waiver Policy
Liberal Arts
Suburb
Need Blind
SupplementalEssay
100% Need
QuestBridge
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,699
Pell Grant 18%
Undergrad Students Over 25 1%
Percent Male / Female 45% / 55%
Ethnic Diversity at Pomona
32% White
18% Asian / Pacific Islander
16% Hispanic
12% International / Non-Citizen
10% Black
8% Multiracial
4% Unknown
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
7:1
Graduation Rate
95%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
24%
24% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
14%
14% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
13%
13% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
8%
8% of graduates
Mathematics
6%
6% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
6%
6% of graduates
Physical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
4%
4% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
3%
3% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
3%
3% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
Psychology
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Affordability Overview
From Pomona
Pomona College is one of a handful of institutions committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all students who are eligible for need-based financial aid.
A student’s financial need is determined after a careful review of each family’s financial documents. We do our best to take into account each family’s unique circumstances. For eligible students, the Offer of Financial Aid is composed of grant aid and a modest student employment allotment. While loans are available, Pomona does not use loans to meet a student’s financial need.
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$89,414
$71,330
$18,084
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$89,414for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Pomona is $89,414. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Pomona would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at Pomona
If you reside in California and are considering Pomona, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarships
Pomona College Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Pomona need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Pomona is 001173 and the CSS Profile Code is 4607.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
Pomona College Questbridge Scholarships
Pomona is a member of Questbridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Pomona College through Questbridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about Questbridge, you can check out our Questbridge Scholarship guide.
Pomona College’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee
Pomona has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial needs. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you cannot pay.
No Loan Policy at Pomona
Pomona is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Pomona's website for details on their No-Loan policy.
Pell Grants at Pomona College
18% of students at Pomona College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Pomona College.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Pomona students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Pomona College Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Pomona or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.pomona.edu/financial-aid
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 909-621-8205
Admissions Overview
From Pomona
We look forward to learning more about your goals, your ideas and your evolving self through reading your application to Pomona. Our application review process does not rely on cut-offs or formulas. Instead, we consider many factors as we determine your academic readiness and fit for Pomona: your curriculum and grades, evaluations by teachers and counselors, your activities and talents, and your essays. We also look at each applicant in context: what courses are available at your school? What is the college-going culture at your school? What particular challenges or circumstances have supported or hindered your performance? We encourage you to use your application to present yourself authentically by sharing with us what activities mean the most to you, what goals motivate you and what ideas get you excited. While the application asks if you have any relatives who have attended and/or worked for Pomona College, we do not use this information for evaluative purposes or give any preferential treatment to applicants based on this information. As has been the practice for many years, Pomona does not consider legacy or donor-affiliated status in the admissions process.
Admissions Snapshot
7%
34
1508 is the median SAT score and 34 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Pomona. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Coalition Colleges
Pomona is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Pomona via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does Pomona have a supplemental essay?
Yes, applicants to Pomona College will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Pomona Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Pomona test-optional?
Pomona College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Pomona College?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Pomona College receive between a 33 and a 35 on their ACT, or a 1455 and a 1560 on their SAT.
Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Pomona?
Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Pomona College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Pomona?
Students must apply by January 8 to enroll at Pomona during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Pomona students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 15.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 8.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Pomona?
Applying to Pomona with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Is Pomona College need-blind?
Yes, Pomona College has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
Student Outcomes Overview
From Pomona
The best evidence of the soundness of Pomona’s educational philosophy is the success of its graduates. Pomona alumni have served in positions of leadership in practically every field of human endeavor – from medicine, public policy, and the arts to scientific research, journalism, business, and the law, as well as almost every field of academic research and teaching. For the class of 2023, we had an 87% knowledge rate. Of that knowledge rate, 91% of those graduates are participating in career activities (a job, internship, service opportunity, further education, fellowship or other). Our students go on to pursue graduate studies in business, law, and medicine within 3-5 years after graduation.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$77,779
Median Debt $11,782
Debt 10 years after graduation $125
Graduation Rate 95%
What is the graduation rate at Pomona College?
95% of students who start at Pomona College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 37% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Pomona College go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Pomona College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $77,779. This is $27,388 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Pomona take out in loans?
Graduates of Pomona have to take out a median of $11,782 in federal student loans. This is $1,718 less than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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Pomona College
