Pomona College: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances

Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI

Quick answer: Pomona College has a 7% acceptance rate, which makes it one of the hardest colleges in the country to get into. Admitted students typically score around 1540 on the SAT or 35 on the ACT. Use the free calculator below to estimate your personal odds at Pomona College.
Acceptance rate7%
SAT (75th percentile)1540
ACT (75th percentile)35
LocationCA
School typePrivate

Pomona College is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California. It is one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the country, admitting about 7% of applicants. Small by design, Pomona prioritizes close relationships between students and faculty and offers the resources of the Claremont Colleges consortium.

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How hard is it to get into Pomona College?

At 7% acceptance, Pomona is harder to get into than many well-known research universities. The school is intentionally small, which limits how many students it can admit each year regardless of how strong the applicant pool is.

Students who gain admission generally show both academic excellence and a thoughtful engagement with learning for its own sake. Pomona tends to attract applicants who are genuinely excited about the liberal arts model, and that enthusiasm usually comes through in their applications.

Test scores that make you competitive

Admitted Pomona students reach a 1540 on the SAT and a 35 on the ACT at the 75th percentile. Those are high benchmarks, though Pomona is test-optional and many students in its admitted class choose not to submit scores. If your academic record is strong, you can make a compelling case without test scores.

What Pomona College looks for

Pomona values intellectual curiosity above most other things. The school wants students who love learning, not just students who are good at accumulating credentials. Challenging yourself academically and showing genuine enthusiasm in your essays matters here.

Given the school's small size, Pomona also pays attention to what kind of community member you will be. Service, collaboration, and a sense of who you are as a person all factor into how admissions readers evaluate applications.

Estimate your chances at Pomona College

If you are trying to figure out whether Pomona is a realistic option for you, the free CollegeCalcAI calculator at collegecalcai.com can help. Enter your GPA, test scores, and activities to get a personalized estimate of your chances.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pomona College's acceptance rate?

Pomona's acceptance rate is approximately 7%, making it one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the United States.

What SAT or ACT score do I need for Pomona College?

The SAT 75th percentile for admitted students is 1540, and the ACT 75th percentile is 35. Scores near those levels are competitive, though Pomona is test-optional.

Is Pomona College hard to get into?

Yes. A 7% acceptance rate puts Pomona in the same selectivity range as many Ivy League schools. The small class size means even highly qualified applicants are often turned away.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.