Pomona College: Campus, Courses, Admissions, Fees, Scholarships and Placements

Pomona College Rankings, Courses, Fees, Admission & Scholarships

Claremont, CaliforniaLocation
CollegeSchool type
Estd1887established year
1703enrollment
ACS WASC
Private (Not for Profit)
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Sep 22, 2026

Pomona College is a private residential liberal arts college in Claremont, California, ranked #4 among National Liberal Arts Colleges as per US News 2025. Founded in 1887, it anchors the Claremont Colleges consortium of five undergraduate colleges and two graduate institutions sharing a single campus footprint.

Pomona College offers 48 majors across arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, delivered entirely in English through a 4-year Bachelor of Arts framework. Popular Indian-applicant choices include Economics, Computer Science, Mathematics and Neuroscience, with cross-registration open across the universities in USA that make up the Claremont consortium. The college enrols students from over 50 countries and runs a single Fall intake for degree seekers.

  • US News Rank: #4 National Liberal Arts Colleges 2025
  • Acceptance Rate: 7% (estimated)
  • Intakes: Fall (August 2027)
  • Comprehensive Fee: USD 85,388 per year (INR 80.7 lakh)
  • Average Starting Salary: USD 72,000 (INR 68.0 lakh)

Also Check: Top Universities in USA for Indian Students

Pomona College practices need-aware admission for international applicants but meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students through grant-based aid. Indian students apply through the Common Application or QuestBridge, with F-1 student visa processing beginning after enrolment confirmation.


Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 94.5 as of September 2026

Admission Status: Open (Fall 2027 intake). The Early Decision I deadline is 15 November 2026, Early Decision II is 8 January 2027, and Regular Decision closes 8 January 2027 for international first-year applicants. QuestBridge National College Match candidates must submit by 26 September 2026 through the QuestBridge portal.

Popular Courses and Fees at Pomona College 2027

Pomona College offers 48 undergraduate majors across four divisions with a uniform Bachelor of Arts structure spanning four years. Tuition is billed annually with a single comprehensive fee that covers instruction, room, board and health services, so per-year cost is identical across majors.

All undergraduate majors run over 4 years with the same annual comprehensive fee. The figures below reflect the published 2026-2027 rate; the college revises tuition each academic year.

ProgramTotal Fee (USD)Total Fee (INR lakh)Entry Requirement
BA Economics341,552322.8 lakhClass 12 with 85% or above (recommended)
BA Computer Science341,552322.8 lakhClass 12 with 85% or above (recommended)
BA Mathematics341,552322.8 lakhClass 12 with 85% or above (recommended)
BA Neuroscience341,552322.8 lakhClass 12 with 85% or above (recommended)
BA Politics341,552322.8 lakhClass 12 with 85% or above (recommended)

Insider note: Indian applicants gravitate toward Economics, Computer Science and Mathematics, but cross-registration at the neighbouring Claremont Colleges lets students combine a Pomona major with engineering courses at Harvey Mudd or media studies at Pitzer without extra tuition.

Read More: Pomona College Fees and Cost of Living Guide


Pomona College Admission 2027

Pomona College runs a single Fall intake with three application rounds for Indian first-year applicants. The full document checklist and waiver detail sit inside the Admissions guide.

MilestoneDateNotes for Indian Applicants
QuestBridge National College Match26 September 2026Binding match round through QuestBridge portal
Early Decision I15 November 2026Binding; decision by mid-December 2026
Early Decision II and Regular Decision8 January 2027ED II binding; RD non-binding, decision late March 2027
Credential verification lead timeStart 6 to 8 weeks before deadlineTranscript translation and school report required
Fall 2027 programme startAugust 2027New student orientation precedes classes

Planning note: Indian applicants targeting the CSS Profile aid pathway should complete it before the ED I deadline, since Pomona reviews international financial need alongside the admission file rather than after.

Read More: Pomona College Admissions Guide for Indian Students


Pomona College Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027

Indian applicants apply as first-year candidates directly from Class 12 through the Common Application platform.

  • Academic: Class 12 with 85% or above from CBSE, ICSE or state boards (recommended); official school-issued transcript required
  • English test: TOEFL iBT minimum 100, IELTS minimum 7.0, or Duolingo English Test minimum 120; test-optional policy applies to SAT and ACT for Fall 2027
  • Financial documentation: CSS Profile plus signed International Student Certification of Finances
  • Standout requirement: Two teacher recommendations, one counselor recommendation and Pomona-specific supplemental essays

Key insight: Pomona remains test-optional for the Fall 2027 cycle, but Indian applicants from English-medium schools often skip the TOEFL only when their Class 12 English marks and counselor letter clearly certify English-medium instruction.


Pomona College Acceptance Rate 2027

Pomona College reports an overall acceptance rate of 7% (estimated) for the most recent admission cycle, placing it among the most selective liberal arts colleges in the United States. The figure combines Early Decision and Regular Decision admits and is derived from institutional applicant pool disclosures.

YearAcceptance RateTrend
20257% (estimated)Stable
20247% (estimated)Stable

International applicants face a comparable admit share, with Indian nationals filling a limited seat count each year. Early Decision applicants historically see a modestly higher admit rate than Regular Decision candidates.

Reality check: A 7% headline rate means Indian applicants need a differentiated academic and extracurricular profile; strong Class 12 percentages alone rarely clear the bar without well-crafted essays and evidence of intellectual initiative.

Read More: Pomona College Acceptance Rate


Pomona College Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027

Total annual cost for an Indian undergraduate at Pomona College sits at approximately USD 85,388 (INR 80.7 lakh), covering the comprehensive fee that bundles tuition, housing, meals and student services on the Claremont campus.

Pomona College Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027

The comprehensive fee model bundles all core charges into a single annual figure. Additional personal expenses and travel sit outside this figure.

Fee ComponentAnnual Cost (USD)Annual Cost (INR lakh)
Tuition and fees65,66062.0 lakh
Room and board19,72818.6 lakh
Comprehensive fee total85,38880.7 lakh

Monthly Cost of Living in Claremont for Indian Students

Room and board are prepaid inside the comprehensive fee for residential students. The figures below cover incidental personal spend that Indian students should budget separately.

CategoryMonthly (USD)Monthly (INR)
Books and supplies757,088
Personal expenses15014,175
Local transportation605,670
Health insurance23021,735
Total monthly51548,668
Annual estimate4,6354.4 lakh

[Source: Pomona College official cost of attendance estimate 2026-2027]

Insider note: The comprehensive fee removes rent uncertainty, but Indian students should budget an additional USD 1,500 (INR 1.4 lakh) annually for one round-trip flight to India during winter or summer break.

Read More: Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students


Pomona College Campus, Facilities and Student Life

Pomona College sits on a 140-acre campus in Claremont, California, roughly 35 miles east of Los Angeles.

  • Location and transport: Metrolink commuter rail links Claremont to Downtown Los Angeles; Ontario International Airport is a 20-minute drive
  • Housing: On-campus housing is guaranteed all four years for undergraduates, with over 98% of students living on campus
  • Notable facility: The Benton Museum of Art houses a permanent collection of over 15,000 works freely accessible to students
  • Consortium access: Cross-registration and dining across the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges expands course choice to more than 2,700 offerings
  • Indian community: Small but active South Asian Student Association organises Diwali, Holi and cultural events each semester

What Indian students say: The residential guarantee removes housing stress entirely, and the shared consortium campus feels closer to a small university than a standalone college. Access to Harvey Mudd engineering courses is the most frequently cited practical benefit.


Pomona College Scholarships 2027

Pomona College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted international students through institutional grant-based aid, without loans in the standard financial aid package. Aid is not merit-based.

ScholarshipTypeAward ValueEligibilityDeadline
Pomona College Need-Based GrantNeed-based grantUp to USD 85,388 per year (INR 80.7 lakh)Admitted international students demonstrating financial needAligned with application deadline
QuestBridge National College MatchFull four-year scholarshipFull comprehensive fee coverageHigh-achieving low-income applicants via QuestBridge26 September 2026

Planning note: Indian applicants must submit the CSS Profile in the same window as the admission application; late financial documentation cannot be added after the admit decision, and Pomona does not offer merit scholarships.

Read More: Pomona College Scholarships Guide


Pomona College Rankings 2027

Pomona College ranks #4 among National Liberal Arts Colleges as per US News 2025, its strongest current ranking position, with consistent top-5 placement across recent editions.

Ranking BodyLatest EditionPrevious EditionTwo Editions Back
US News National Liberal Arts Colleges2025: #42024: #42023: #4
QS World2027: Not ranked2026: Not ranked2025: Not ranked
THE World2026: Not ranked2025: Not ranked2024: Not ranked
Forbes America’s Top Colleges2025: #172024: #182023: #22

[Source: US News, Forbes]

QS and THE rank research-heavy universities and do not rank US liberal arts colleges as a category, which is standard practice; US News National Liberal Arts Colleges is the authoritative benchmark for Pomona.

Key insight: For Indian applicants, US News liberal arts rankings signal instructional quality and peer prestige, but the F-1 visa and employer recognition treat Pomona graduates on par with top research universities given comparable outcomes.

Read More: Pomona College Rankings Analysis


Pomona College Placements and Career Outcomes 2027

Pomona College reports strong post-graduation outcomes with early-career salary levels comparable to elite national universities, driven by a Career Development Office that supports on-campus recruiting and graduate school placement.

  • Employment within six months: Approximately 94% (estimated) of graduates report being employed, in graduate school or pursuing fellowships
  • Median starting salary: USD 72,000 (INR 68.0 lakh) market median for recent graduates
  • Top sectors: Consulting, technology, finance, education and non-profit sectors dominate first-destination outcomes
  • Career support: Career Development Office runs alumni-mentor networks, on-campus interviews and Sagehen Connect for internships
  • Post-study work: Indian graduates on F-1 visa qualify for 12-month OPT, extendable to 36 months if the major is designated STEM (Computer Science, Mathematics, Neuroscience qualify)

Insider note: Pomona graduates in Computer Science and Economics are actively recruited by Bay Area technology firms and East Coast investment banks; the alumni network in Los Angeles is a particular strength for early-career Indian graduates.

Pomona College vs Peer Universities

The peer set below compares Pomona College against the other top US liberal arts colleges most cross-shopped by Indian applicants, benchmarked on selectivity and cost.

CollegeUS News Liberal Arts 2025Annual Comprehensive Fee (USD)Annual Comprehensive Fee (INR lakh)Differentiator
Pomona College#485,38880.7 lakhClaremont consortium cross-registration
Williams College#184,14079.5 lakhTutorial-style Oxbridge instruction
Amherst College#287,12082.3 lakhOpen curriculum with no core requirements
Swarthmore College#382,60678.1 lakhEngineering degree offered on-site
Wellesley College#583,11078.5 lakhWomen’s college near Boston

Pomona College stands out for its consortium access, guaranteed four-year housing and consistent top-5 placement. Indian applicants weighing offers should factor the Southern California climate and Los Angeles proximity alongside the pure ranking numbers.

Pomona College is a strong fit for Indian applicants seeking an intimate residential undergraduate education with need-based aid worth up to USD 85,388 (INR 80.7 lakh) per year against a market median starting salary of USD 72,000 (INR 68.0 lakh). The Claremont consortium model and post-study F-1 visa OPT pathway make it a rare combination of small-college teaching and research-university career access.

Pomona College is not the right fit for Indian students set on pre-professional degrees like engineering, business or nursing, since those degree tracks do not exist. Applicants seeking those fields should consider a national research university such as University of Southern California in the same region.


Pomona College FAQs

Ques. What majors can Indian students pursue at Pomona College?

Ans. Pomona College offers 48 undergraduate majors across arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. Indian students commonly pick Economics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Politics and International Relations. Engineering as a full degree is not available on campus, though 3-2 combined plans with California Institute of Technology or Washington University exist for a small number of students each year.

Ques. Can Indian students work part-time while studying at Pomona College?

Ans. F-1 visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week on campus during term and 40 hours during breaks. Pomona College operates an active student employment programme in dining, library, research assistantships and residential life. Off-campus work is restricted to Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training authorised through the International Students office after the first academic year.

Ques. Does Pomona College waive the TOEFL requirement for Indian applicants?

Ans. Pomona College may waive the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo requirement for applicants from schools where English is the exclusive medium of instruction. Indian applicants from CBSE, ICSE or IB schools should have their counselor certify English-medium instruction directly in the school report. The final waiver decision rests with the admissions committee.

Ques. What is the application fee at Pomona College and can Indian applicants get a waiver?

Ans. The application fee is USD 70 (INR 6,615) for the Common Application submission. Indian applicants can request a fee waiver directly through the Common Application by indicating financial hardship or through counselor endorsement. QuestBridge candidates automatically receive the fee waiver, and no applicant is turned away for inability to pay.

Ques. How does Pomona College verify Indian school transcripts?

Ans. Pomona College accepts official transcripts sent directly from the applicant’s Class 12 school or board with counselor certification. Third-party credential evaluations from WES or ECE are not required at the application stage. Admitted students submit final Class 12 mark sheets and school-leaving certificates before enrolment, and transcripts in languages other than English require certified translations.

Ques. Are dependent visas available for Indian students at Pomona College?

Ans. Undergraduate students at Pomona College are typically unmarried and do not bring dependents. However, F-2 dependent visas exist for spouses and children of F-1 holders. Financial proof must be increased to reflect dependent living costs, and F-2 dependents cannot work in the United States but can enrol in part-time academic study.

Ques. Which Indian education loan providers recognise Pomona College?

Ans. Major Indian public sector banks including State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank sanction education loans for Pomona College. Non-banking lenders like HDFC Credila, Avanse, InCred and Prodigy Finance also cover the college. Given that need-based aid meets 100% of demonstrated need, most Indian admits combine institutional grants with a smaller supplemental loan for personal expenses.

Ques. Does Pomona College require interviews for Indian applicants?

Ans. Interviews at Pomona College are optional and evaluative, offered virtually to Indian applicants through the Alumni Interview Programme. Applicants should request an interview by mid-October for Early Decision and late November for Regular Decision. Not interviewing does not disadvantage the applicant, but a well-prepared conversation can add colour to the file for borderline admissions decisions.

Top Recommended Courses


4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS7|TOEFL100|Duolingo130
INR 59.4 L/YrUSD 61,906 /Yr

4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS7|TOEFL100|Duolingo130
INR 59.4 L/YrUSD 61,906 /Yr

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4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS7|TOEFL100|Duolingo130
INR 59.4 L/YrUSD 61,906 /Yr
4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS7|TOEFL100|Duolingo130
INR 59.4 L/YrUSD 61,906 /Yr
4 years
On Campus
English
Full Time
Exam Scores: IELTS7|TOEFL100|Duolingo130
Degrees Available: B.A
INR 59.4 L/YrUSD 61,906 /Yr

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Pomona College Ranking

202620252022202120202019

Collegedunia Study Abroad logo

Overall 338 out of 824 in Global Ranking

#153 out of 357 in USA 2026

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Pomona College Scholarships


NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
TEC ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 95,950/Yr$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
BeArt Presets-Academic ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 2.4 L/Yr$2,500Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 95,950/Yr$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Jagdish Bhagwati FellowshipScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeCollege-Specific
Bharat Petroleum ScholarshipScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyMasterTypeMerit-Based
Comindware ScholarshipScholarship per student₹ 3.8 L/Yr$4,000Level Of StudyApprenticeshipTypeMerit-Based

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Pomona College Admissions

  • Early Action Deadlines

    Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)
    Important Date: April1 (Application results)
  • Regular Decision Deadlines

    Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)
    Important Date: April1 (Application results)

Pomona College Exam Scores

ExamsAvg. ScoreMin ScoreMax. Score%Submitted'
Undergraduate
SAT14501370153052
Check Detailed Score
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing725690760-
Mathematics725680770-
ACT32303466
Check Detailed Score
English343235-
Mathematics312834-

Attendance Cost

₹6,476,817

attendance cost

The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees

Tuition fees
Undergraduate Programs
₹6,476,817 / Year
On Campus
Books & Supplies
₹95,950 / Year
On campus, Room & Board
₹1,549,593 / Year
On Campus, Other Expenses
₹143,925 / Year
Off Campus
Off campus (not with family), Room & Board
₹1,069,843 / Year
Off campus (not with family), Other Expenses
₹143,925 / Year
Off campus (with family), Room & Board
₹115,140 / Year
Off campus (with family), Other Expenses
₹115,140 / Year

Pomona College Accreditations

Institutional accreditations
Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Faculty

Total FacultyFull TimePart TimeGraduate Assistants
23402206134-

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