Pomona College

Pomona College admits approximately 6.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 15 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Pomona among the most selective liberal arts colleges in the United States, with acceptance rates comparable to Ivy League institutions.

The peer median admission rate of 75.6% highlights the stark difference between Pomona's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private liberal arts colleges, Pomona's acceptance rate falls at the lower end of the selectivity spectrum.

This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students—those with near-perfect test scores and outstanding academic records—face significant uncertainty in the admission process. Many students who would thrive at Pomona do not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spaces.

For this reason, students considering Pomona should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and post-graduation outcomes. Treating Pomona as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy, given that admission outcomes at this selectivity level involve factors beyond academic metrics alone.

Pomona College's published cost of attendance reaches $81,196 per year—$62,326 in tuition, $20,374 for room and board, and $1,100 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $19,424 after financial aid, representing savings of $61,772 through institutional grant assistance.

This substantial aid reduction reflects Pomona's commitment to need-based financial aid and its significant endowment resources. Net price varies dramatically by family income, ranging from $5,638 for families earning under $30,000 to $51,240 for families earning over $110,000.

At $19,424, Pomona's average net price sits $2,388 below the peer median of $21,812, indicating competitive pricing relative to similar institutions. The institution's generous aid packaging enables access for students from diverse economic backgrounds despite the high published cost.

Pomona's financial aid approach prioritizes grant assistance over loans, helping explain the remarkably low debt levels among graduates. This pricing structure reflects the institution's liberal arts mission of attracting academically talented students regardless of family financial circumstances.

Pomona College graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth across the early to mid-career period. Median earnings increase from $60,850 six years after enrollment to $68,385 at eight years and $77,779 at ten years, representing 27.8% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 135 graduates, providing reliable confidence in reported figures. Despite strong absolute performance at the 92nd percentile nationally, graduates earn $3,614 below expectations compared to similar students, placing Pomona in the below-average tier for earnings beyond expectations.

This indicates that while outcomes are strong in absolute terms, they are modest relative to the academic caliber of enrolled students. Earnings distribution shows substantial variation, with the 75th percentile ($118,516) reaching 2.6 times the 25th percentile ($44,975), reflecting the diverse career paths typical of liberal arts graduates.

Approximately 22.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for advanced education pathways alongside workforce entry.

Pomona College offers 4 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for analysis. Computer Science ranks #39 nationally and #13 in California, producing 34 graduates with median earnings of $128,737 and a value score of 79.2.

Applied Economics ranks #29 nationally and #6 in California, graduating 60 students with median earnings of $100,669 and the highest value score of 86.1. Mathematics (Algebra and Number Theory) ranks #66 nationally and #7 in California, with 44 graduates earning $50,712.

Neuroscience ranks #42 nationally and #8 in California, graduating 22 students with median earnings of $39,967. All four programs are designated as top majors at the institution, reflecting Pomona's focus on academic excellence across diverse liberal arts disciplines rather than career-oriented specializations.