Pomona vs. RISD

Pomona College and Rhode Island School of Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Pomona College
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pomona (7.1% admitted vs 18.7%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1460.
  • Cheaper after aid: Pomona. Average net price is $19,938 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Pomona 95% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pomona $70,500 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Pomona College Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
Pomona more selective
Pomona7.1%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pomona higher
Pomona1490-1560
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Pomona $23,554 less
Pomona$19,938
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
RISD $2,732 less
Pomona$65,420
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
RISD $2,732 less
Pomona$65,420
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
Pomona +8 pts
Pomona95%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pomona +$19,400
Pomona$70,500
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Pomona and RISD with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Pomona Check my chances at RISD
  • Applied
  • Pomona 12,249
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Pomona 868
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pomona 1530
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pomona 34
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pomona 3.89
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pomona A
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pomona Elite
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Pomona Extreme
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Pomona 33-35
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Pomona Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Pomona $21,394
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Pomona $19,938
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Pomona $65,362
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pomona 59%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pomona 95%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pomona $70,500
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pomona -
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pomona $11,000
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Pomona $113
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pomona 7:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Pomona 1,700
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pomona #20
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare Pomona College in Claremont, CA with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 1,700 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 22.3% lower than at Pomona College ($16,626 vs. $21,394).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at Pomona than at Rhode Island School of Design (about $2,732 more per year; $65,420 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at Rhode Island School of Design (59% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 71% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($65,362 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Pomona than at RISD (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pomona and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pomona average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($11,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $166 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($113 vs. $279).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Pomona College
Rhode Island School of Design
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges