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California Lutheran University vs Pomona College

California Lutheran University is a private university in Thousand Oaks, CA, and Pomona College is a private college in Claremont, CA. Pomona College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 7% of applicants against 76% at California Lutheran University. Pomona College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $19,285 a year against $30,109 at California Lutheran University. About 93% of students graduate at Pomona College, compared with 72% at California Lutheran University. Ten years after enrolling, Pomona College alumni earn a median of about $77,779, against $68,712 for California Lutheran University.

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private

Pomona College

Claremont, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA
Claremont, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,296
1,666
Acceptance rate
76%
7%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–3.95
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1150–1330
1490–1560
ACT (middle 50%)
24–31
33–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$30,109
$19,285
Full cost / yr
$68,426
$85,300
In-state tuition
$52,560
$65,420
Out-of-state tuition
$52,560
$65,420
Application fee
$25
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$22,161
$4,841
$30k - $48k
$23,668
$7,026
$48k - $75k
$24,318
$17,054
$75k - $110k
$29,303
$15,719
Over $110k
$38,364
$37,842
Outcomes
Graduation rate
72%
93%
Freshman retention
79%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$54,981
$60,850
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,712
$77,779
Median debt at graduation
$21,669
$11,782
Student body
Pell grant recipients
31%
20%
First-generation students
35%
30%
International students
4%
14%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 8
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 8

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is California Lutheran University or Pomona College harder to get into?
Pomona College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 76% at California Lutheran University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, California Lutheran University or Pomona College?
Pomona College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,285 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $30,109 at California Lutheran University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at California Lutheran University and Pomona College?
Before aid, California Lutheran University costs about $68,426 a year and Pomona College about $85,300. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California Lutheran University or Pomona College?
Pomona College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,841 there, against about $22,161 at California Lutheran University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California Lutheran University or Pomona College?
California Lutheran University is the larger of the two, with about 2,296 undergraduates against 1,666 at Pomona College.
Does California Lutheran University or Pomona College have a better graduation rate?
Pomona College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 72% at California Lutheran University.
Do graduates of California Lutheran University or Pomona College earn more?
Pomona College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $77,779 ten years after enrolling, against about $68,712 for California Lutheran University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California Lutheran University and Pomona College require SAT or ACT scores?
California Lutheran University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Pomona College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do California Lutheran University and Pomona College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1150–1330 at California Lutheran University and 1490–1560 at Pomona College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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