Pomona vs. USC

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

Pomona College
University of Southern California

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pomona (7.1% admitted vs 9.8%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1500.
  • Cheaper after aid: Pomona. Average net price is $19,938 vs $43,412 at USC.
  • Graduation: Pomona 95% vs USC 90%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pomona $70,500 vs USC $85,500 (median).
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Key differences

Pomona College University of Southern California
Acceptance rate
Pomona more selective
Pomona7.1%
USC9.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pomona higher
Pomona1490-1560
USC1450-1550
Average net price
Pomona $23,474 less
Pomona$19,938
USC$43,412
In-state tuition
Pomona $6,677 less
Pomona$65,420
USC$72,097
Out-of-state tuition
Pomona $6,677 less
Pomona$65,420
USC$72,097
Graduation rate
Pomona +5 pts
Pomona95%
USC90%
Median earnings (10 years)
USC +$15,000
Pomona$70,500
USC$85,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pomona 12,249
  • USC 82,027
  • Admitted
  • Pomona 868
  • USC 8,050
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • USC 9.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • USC 43.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pomona 1530
  • USC 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pomona 34
  • USC 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pomona 3.89
  • USC 3.83
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pomona A
  • USC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pomona Elite
  • USC Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Pomona Extreme
  • USC Very High
  • SAT range
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • USC 1450-1550
  • ACT range
  • Pomona 33-35
  • USC 32-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Pomona Test optional
  • USC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • USC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • USC $72,097
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • USC $72,097
  • Room & board
  • Pomona $21,394
  • USC $19,931
  • Average net price
  • Pomona $19,938
  • USC $43,412
  • Average grant aid
  • Pomona $65,362
  • USC $46,897
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pomona 59%
  • USC 70%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pomona 95%
  • USC 90%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pomona $70,500
  • USC $85,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pomona -
  • USC 81%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pomona $11,000
  • USC $22,375
  • Median loan payment
  • Pomona $113
  • USC $231
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pomona 7:1
  • USC 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • USC
    • Business (25%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Location
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • USC Los Angeles, CA
  • Setting
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • USC Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Pomona 1,700
  • USC 46,566
  • Type
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • USC Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pomona #20
  • USC #37

Comparable Facts

Compare Pomona College in Claremont, CA with University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Southern California is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 1,700 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
  • Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 6.8% lower than at Pomona College ($19,931 vs. $21,394).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at USC than at Pomona College (about $6,677 more per year; $72,097 vs. $65,420).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Pomona College (70% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 39.4% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($65,362 vs. $46,897).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Pomona than at USC (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pomona and USC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pomona average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at USC (3.83).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 43.3% at USC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $11,375 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($11,000 vs. $22,375).
  • Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($113 vs. $231).

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

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