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Claremont McKenna College vs Pomona College

Claremont McKenna College is a private college in Claremont, CA. Pomona College is a private college in Claremont, CA. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants and Claremont McKenna College about 10%, making Pomona College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $19,285 a year at Pomona College after aid, and about $28,849 at Claremont McKenna College. About 93% of students graduate at both. Ten years after enrolling, Claremont McKenna College alumni earn a median of about $104,736, against $77,779 for Pomona College.

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Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, CA · Private

Pomona College

Claremont, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Claremont, CA
Claremont, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,388
1,666
Acceptance rate
10%
7%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1470–1560
1490–1560
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
33–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,849
$19,285
Full cost / yr
$86,500
$85,300
In-state tuition
$67,980
$65,420
Out-of-state tuition
$67,980
$65,420
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$15,308
$4,841
$30k - $48k
$7,360
$7,026
$48k - $75k
$16,389
$17,054
$75k - $110k
$19,325
$15,719
Over $110k
$52,295
$37,842
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
93%
Freshman retention
98%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$87,603
$60,850
Median earnings (10 yr)
$104,736
$77,779
Median debt at graduation
$13,500
$11,782
Student body
Pell grant recipients
18%
20%
First-generation students
Not reported
30%
International students
15%
14%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Nov 8
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 10
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 Claremont McKenna College or Pomona College harder to get into?
Pomona College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 10% at Claremont McKenna College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Claremont McKenna College or Pomona College?
Pomona College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,285 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,849 at Claremont McKenna College. 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 Claremont McKenna College and Pomona College?
Before aid, Pomona College costs about $85,300 a year and Claremont McKenna College about $86,500. 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, Claremont McKenna College or Pomona College?
Pomona College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,841 there, against about $15,308 at Claremont McKenna College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Claremont McKenna College or Pomona College?
Pomona College is the larger of the two, with about 1,666 undergraduates against 1,388 at Claremont McKenna College.
Does Claremont McKenna College or Pomona College have a better graduation rate?
Both graduate about 93% of their students.
Do graduates of Claremont McKenna College or Pomona College earn more?
Claremont McKenna College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $104,736 ten years after enrolling, against about $77,779 for Pomona College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Claremont McKenna College and Pomona College require SAT or ACT scores?
Claremont McKenna College 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 Claremont McKenna College and Pomona College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1470–1560 at Claremont McKenna College and 1490–1560 at Pomona College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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