UCSD vs. Pomona

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

University of California San Diego
Pomona College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pomona (7.1% admitted vs 26.7%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1380.
  • Cheaper after aid: UCSD. Average net price is $14,047 vs $19,938 at Pomona.
  • Graduation: UCSD 85% vs Pomona 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UCSD $67,900 vs Pomona $70,500 (median).
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Key differences

University of California San Diego Pomona College
Acceptance rate
Pomona more selective
UCSD26.7%
Pomona7.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pomona higher
UCSD1270-1480
Pomona1490-1560
Average net price
UCSD $5,891 less
UCSD$14,047
Pomona$19,938
In-state tuition
UCSD $48,662 less
UCSD$16,758
Pomona$65,420
Out-of-state tuition
UCSD $14,462 less
UCSD$50,958
Pomona$65,420
Graduation rate
Pomona +10 pts
UCSD85%
Pomona95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pomona +$2,600
UCSD$67,900
Pomona$70,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UCSD 134,450
  • Pomona 12,249
  • Admitted
  • UCSD 35,917
  • Pomona 868
  • Acceptance rate
  • UCSD 26.7%
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UCSD 20.4%
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UCSD 1380
  • Pomona 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • UCSD 31
  • Pomona 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • UCSD 3.82
  • Pomona 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • UCSD A-
  • Pomona A
  • Admissions standards
  • UCSD Exceptional
  • Pomona Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • UCSD High
  • Pomona Extreme
  • SAT range
  • UCSD 1270-1480
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • UCSD 28-34
  • Pomona 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • UCSD Test-free
  • Pomona Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UCSD Nov 30, 2026
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UCSD $16,758
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UCSD $50,958
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Room & board
  • UCSD $18,970
  • Pomona $21,394
  • Average net price
  • UCSD $14,047
  • Pomona $19,938
  • Average grant aid
  • UCSD $25,757
  • Pomona $65,362
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UCSD 59%
  • Pomona 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • UCSD 85%
  • Pomona 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UCSD $67,900
  • Pomona $70,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • UCSD 82%
  • Pomona -
  • Median student loan debt
  • UCSD $18,500
  • Pomona $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • UCSD $191
  • Pomona $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UCSD 19:1
  • Pomona 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • UCSD
    • Biology (23%)
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • UCSD La Jolla, CA
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • UCSD Large City
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • UCSD 44,256
  • Pomona 1,700
  • Type
  • UCSD Public 4 Year
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UCSD #87
  • Pomona #20

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with Pomona College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of California San Diego is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 1,700 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Pomona College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 11.3% lower than at Pomona College ($18,970 vs. $21,394).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 28.4% higher at Pomona than at University of California San Diego (about $14,462 more per year; $65,420 vs. $50,958).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego as at Pomona College (59% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 153.8% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($65,362 vs. $25,757).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Pomona than at UCSD (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UCSD, test optional at Pomona.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pomona average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at UCSD (3.82).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($11,000 vs. $18,500).
  • Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($113 vs. $191).

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

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