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Pomona College vs Saint Mary's College of California

Pomona College is a private college in Claremont, CA. Saint Mary's College of California is a private college in Moraga, CA. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants and Saint Mary's College of California about 87%, 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 $30,378 at Saint Mary's College of California. About 93% of students graduate at Pomona College, compared with 70% at Saint Mary's College of California. Ten years after enrolling, Saint Mary's College of California alumni earn a median of about $78,812, against $77,779 for Pomona College.

Pomona College

Claremont, CA · Private

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Claremont, CA
Moraga, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,666
1,947
Acceptance rate
7%
87%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.54–4
3.35–3.85
SAT (middle 50%)
1490–1560
1070–1253
ACT (middle 50%)
33–35
21–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$19,285
$30,378
Full cost / yr
$85,300
$77,659
In-state tuition
$65,420
$57,803
Out-of-state tuition
$65,420
$57,803
Application fee
$70
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,841
$19,462
$30k - $48k
$7,026
$20,127
$48k - $75k
$17,054
$23,303
$75k - $110k
$15,719
$29,049
Over $110k
$37,842
$40,581
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
70%
Freshman retention
98%
85%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$60,850
$60,388
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,779
$78,812
Median debt at graduation
$11,782
$23,691
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
27%
First-generation students
30%
26%
International students
14%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 8
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 8
Jan 15

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 Pomona College or Saint Mary's College of California harder to get into?
Pomona College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 87% at Saint Mary's College of California. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Pomona College or Saint Mary's College of California?
Pomona College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,285 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $30,378 at Saint Mary's College of California. 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 Pomona College and Saint Mary's College of California?
Before aid, Saint Mary's College of California costs about $77,659 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, Pomona College or Saint Mary's College of California?
Pomona College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,841 there, against about $19,462 at Saint Mary's College of California. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Pomona College or Saint Mary's College of California?
Saint Mary's College of California is the larger of the two, with about 1,947 undergraduates against 1,666 at Pomona College.
Does Pomona College or Saint Mary's College of California have a better graduation rate?
Pomona College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 70% at Saint Mary's College of California.
Do graduates of Pomona College or Saint Mary's College of California earn more?
Saint Mary's College of California alumni earn more on average: a median of about $78,812 ten years after enrolling, against about $77,779 for Pomona College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Pomona College and Saint Mary's College of California require SAT or ACT scores?
Pomona College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Saint Mary's College of California is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Pomona College and Saint Mary's College of California look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1560 at Pomona College and 1070–1253 at Saint Mary's College of California. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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