Pomona vs. Swarthmore

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

Pomona College
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pomona (7.1% admitted vs 7.5%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1530.
  • Cheaper after aid: Pomona. Average net price is $19,938 vs $22,469 at Swarthmore.
  • Graduation: Pomona 95% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pomona $70,500 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Pomona College Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Pomona more selective
Pomona7.1%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pomona higher
Pomona1490-1560
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Pomona $2,531 less
Pomona$19,938
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Pomona $74 less
Pomona$65,420
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Pomona $74 less
Pomona$65,420
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Pomona +0 pts
Pomona95%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pomona +$4,700
Pomona$70,500
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pomona 12,249
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Pomona 868
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pomona 1530
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pomona 34
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pomona 3.89
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pomona A
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Pomona Elite
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Pomona Extreme
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Pomona 33-35
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Pomona Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Pomona $21,394
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Pomona $19,938
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Pomona $65,362
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pomona 59%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pomona 95%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pomona $70,500
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pomona -
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pomona $11,000
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Pomona $113
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pomona 7:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Pomona 1,700
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pomona #20
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Pomona College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (1,700 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 5.1% lower than at Pomona College ($20,308 vs. $21,394).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Swarthmore than at Pomona College (about $74 more per year; $65,494 vs. $65,420).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at Swarthmore College (59% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 6% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($65,362 vs. $61,634).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Pomona students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Swarthmore (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pomona and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Pomona (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($11,000 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($113 vs. $201).

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

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