Pomona vs. Grinnell

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

Pomona College
Grinnell College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pomona (7.1% admitted vs 14.5%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: Pomona. Average net price is $19,938 vs $34,363 at Grinnell.
  • Graduation: Pomona 95% vs Grinnell 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pomona $70,500 vs Grinnell $59,500 (median).
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Key differences

Pomona College Grinnell College
Acceptance rate
Pomona more selective
Pomona7.1%
Grinnell14.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pomona higher
Pomona1490-1560
Grinnell1410-1540
Average net price
Pomona $14,425 less
Pomona$19,938
Grinnell$34,363
In-state tuition
Pomona $2,686 less
Pomona$65,420
Grinnell$68,106
Out-of-state tuition
Pomona $2,686 less
Pomona$65,420
Grinnell$68,106
Graduation rate
Pomona +7 pts
Pomona95%
Grinnell88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pomona +$11,000
Pomona$70,500
Grinnell$59,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pomona 12,249
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • Admitted
  • Pomona 868
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pomona 1530
  • Grinnell 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pomona 34
  • Grinnell 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pomona 3.89
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pomona A
  • Grinnell A
  • Admissions standards
  • Pomona Elite
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Pomona Extreme
  • Grinnell Very High
  • SAT range
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • Grinnell 1410-1540
  • ACT range
  • Pomona 33-35
  • Grinnell 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Pomona Test optional
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Room & board
  • Pomona $21,394
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • Average net price
  • Pomona $19,938
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • Average grant aid
  • Pomona $65,362
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pomona 59%
  • Grinnell 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pomona 95%
  • Grinnell 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pomona $70,500
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pomona -
  • Grinnell 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pomona $11,000
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • Median loan payment
  • Pomona $113
  • Grinnell $136
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pomona 7:1
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • Setting
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Pomona 1,700
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • Type
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pomona #20
  • Grinnell #57

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,700 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
  • Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 21.3% lower than at Pomona College ($16,842 vs. $21,394).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Grinnell than at Pomona College (about $2,686 more per year; $68,106 vs. $65,420).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Pomona College (94% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($65,362 vs. $49,077).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Pomona than at Grinnell (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pomona and Grinnell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Pomona students have the same average high school GPA (3.89) as students at Grinnell (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $2,170 lower median loan debt than Grinnell graduates ($11,000 vs. $13,170).
  • Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Grinnell graduates ($113 vs. $136).

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

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