Can you get into Pomona College?

Claremont, CA · Private · 1,666 students Here is the class that got in, and where your numbers land inside it.

Add your GPA, or a test score, and the read appears here. Nothing you type leaves this page.

The admitted class · 2024

What it took to get in

Acceptance rate

7.1%

SAT middle 50%

1490–1560

median 1520

ACT middle 50%

33–35

median 34

Testing

Required

35% submitted an SAT

Graduation rate

93%

within six years

Common App

Accepted

Reported by the college

What Pomona College actually reads

Colleges publish which parts of an application they weigh. It is the most useful thing they say about admissions and almost nobody reads it, because knowing that an essay is very important here and class rank is not considered changes where the work should go.

  • Very important

    The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.

    • Course rigor
    • Essay
    • Recommendations
  • Considered

    Looked at, but not decisive on its own.

    • Grades
    • Class rank
    • Test scores
    • Work experience
  • Not considered

    Reported as playing no part in the decision.

    • Legacy

From the federal IPEDS admissions survey, 2024. It records whether Pomona College considers each factor, but not how heavily, and it does not ask about extracurriculars, character, or demonstrated interest. Where a school publishes its Common Data Set we use that instead.

Deadlines · 2026 cycle

When to apply

  • Early DecisionNovember 15, 2026
  • Regular DecisionJanuary 8, 2027

Pomona College fills part of its class in the early round, where admit rates typically run higher. Early Decision is binding, so it only fits a clear first choice.

Real cost · 2024 data

What families actually pay

The sticker price is $85,300, but almost nobody pays it. Average net price at Pomona College by family income, after grants and scholarships:

  • Under $30k$4,841
  • $30k–$48k$7,026
  • $48k–$75k$17,054
  • $75k–$110k$15,719
  • Over $110k$37,842

U.S. Department of Education data: average net price per year for aided first-time students. Your number depends on your family’s finances.

Common questions

Pomona College admissions, answered

What is Pomona College's acceptance rate?

Pomona College admits 7.1% of applicants (latest reported cycle: 2024).

What SAT score do you need for Pomona College?

The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1490 and 1560. A score above 1560 clears the 75th percentile; below 1490, the rest of the application has to carry more weight.

Is Pomona College test-optional?

No. Pomona College requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants for the 2026 cycle.

What does Pomona College look for in an application?

Pomona College reports that it weighs course rigor, essay, recommendations most heavily. Anything it lists as not considered is worth knowing too, because effort spent there does not count here.

How much does Pomona College actually cost?

Sticker price is $85,300, but the average family pays $19,285 after aid. Families earning under $30k pay about $4,841 per year on average.

What Spike does with this

Use the Pomona College read in your plan.

Spike helps connect your numbers with courses, testing, essays, activities, and the rest of your college list.