Pomona vs. Amherst

Pomona College and Amherst College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Pomona College
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pomona (7.1% admitted vs 9%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $19,938 at Pomona vs $19,049 at Amherst. Amherst in-state tuition is about $5,060 more per year.
  • Graduation: Pomona 95% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pomona $70,500 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

Pomona College Amherst College
Acceptance rate
Pomona more selective
Pomona7.1%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Pomona1490-1560
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
About even
Pomona$19,938
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
Pomona $5,060 less
Pomona$65,420
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
Pomona $5,060 less
Pomona$65,420
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Amherst +1 pts
Pomona95%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$11,500
Pomona$70,500
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pomona 12,249
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • Pomona 868
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pomona 1530
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pomona 34
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pomona 3.89
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pomona A
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • Pomona Elite
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Pomona Extreme
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • Pomona 33-35
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Pomona Test optional
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • Pomona $21,394
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • Pomona $19,938
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • Pomona $65,362
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pomona 59%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pomona 95%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pomona $70,500
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pomona -
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pomona $11,000
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • Pomona $113
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pomona 7:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Pomona 1,700
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pomona #20
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

Compare Pomona College in Claremont, CA with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Amherst College is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,700 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 14% lower than at Pomona College ($18,390 vs. $21,394).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Amherst than at Pomona College (about $5,060 more per year; $70,480 vs. $65,420).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College as at Amherst College (59% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Pomona College students ($68,591 vs. $65,362).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Pomona students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Amherst (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pomona and Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Pomona (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $1,975 lower median loan debt than Amherst graduates ($11,000 vs. $12,975).
  • Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Amherst graduates ($113 vs. $134).

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

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