Caltech vs. Pomona

California Institute of Technology and Pomona College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Institute of Technology
Pomona College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Caltech (2.6% admitted vs 7.1%). Typical SAT 1560 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Caltech. Average net price is $14,513 vs $19,938 at Pomona.
  • Graduation: Caltech 87% vs Pomona 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Caltech $85,800 vs Pomona $70,500 (median).
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Key differences

California Institute of Technology Pomona College
Acceptance rate
Caltech more selective
Caltech2.6%
Pomona7.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Caltech higher
Caltech1530-1580
Pomona1490-1560
Average net price
Caltech $5,425 less
Caltech$14,513
Pomona$19,938
In-state tuition
Pomona $478 less
Caltech$65,898
Pomona$65,420
Out-of-state tuition
Pomona $478 less
Caltech$65,898
Pomona$65,420
Graduation rate
Pomona +8 pts
Caltech87%
Pomona95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Caltech +$15,300
Caltech$85,800
Pomona$70,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Caltech 13,856
  • Pomona 12,249
  • Admitted
  • Caltech 356
  • Pomona 868
  • Acceptance rate
  • Caltech 2.6%
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Caltech 61.2%
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Caltech 1560
  • Pomona 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Caltech 35
  • Pomona 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Caltech 3.97
  • Pomona 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Caltech A
  • Pomona A
  • Admissions standards
  • Caltech Elite
  • Pomona Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Caltech Extreme
  • Pomona Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Caltech 1530-1580
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Caltech 35-36
  • Pomona 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Caltech Required
  • Pomona Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Caltech Jan 3, 2027
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Caltech $65,898
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Room & board
  • Caltech $20,283
  • Pomona $21,394
  • Average net price
  • Caltech $14,513
  • Pomona $19,938
  • Average grant aid
  • Caltech $72,373
  • Pomona $65,362
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Caltech 53%
  • Pomona 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Caltech 87%
  • Pomona 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Caltech $85,800
  • Pomona $70,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Caltech -
  • Pomona -
  • Median student loan debt
  • Caltech $14,350
  • Pomona $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Caltech $148
  • Pomona $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Caltech 3:1
  • Pomona 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Caltech
    • Engineering (41%)
    • Physical Sciences (25%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
    • Mathematics (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Caltech Pasadena, CA
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • Caltech Midsize City
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Caltech 2,430
  • Pomona 1,700
  • Type
  • Caltech Private 4 Year
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Caltech #7
  • Pomona #20

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Pomona College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Institute of Technology is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 1,700 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Pomona College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Institute of Technology are 5.2% lower than at Pomona College ($20,283 vs. $21,394).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Caltech than at Pomona College (about $478 more per year; $65,898 vs. $65,420).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at California Institute of Technology (59% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 10.7% larger than aid received by Pomona College students ($72,373 vs. $65,362).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Caltech than at Pomona (35 vs. 34, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Caltech, test optional at Pomona.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Caltech average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Pomona (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $3,350 lower median loan debt than Caltech graduates ($11,000 vs. $14,350).
  • Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caltech graduates ($113 vs. $148).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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