Pomona College Overview: Top Liberal Arts School in California

Pomona College, located in Claremont, California, is a prestigious liberal arts institution known for its rigorous academics, intimate learning environment, and commitment to accessibility and diversity. Founded in 1887, it is the cornerstone of The Claremont Colleges consortium, enabling students to benefit from a small college atmosphere with the resources of a larger university system.

With a 7:1 student-faculty ratio and access to thousands of courses across the consortium, Pomona offers a broad liberal arts education, robust research opportunities, and extensive study-abroad programs. Student life is vibrant, with over 250 clubs, strong arts and athletics, and traditions like Ski-Beach Day.

The college is highly selective, need-blind in admissions, and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, backed by a $3 billion endowment. Its alumni include leaders across arts, science, politics, and business, reflecting the college’s enduring impact and academic excellence.

Pomona College: A Deep Dive into a Leading Liberal Arts Institution

Nestled in Claremont, California, approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles, Pomona College stands as a premier private liberal arts college and the founding member of The Claremont Colleges consortium. Established in 1887, Pomona has cultivated a reputation for rigorous academics, a close-knit intellectual community, and a commitment to access and opportunity for students from all backgrounds.

A Rich History and the Claremont Colleges Model

Pomona College was founded by a group of Congregationalists who envisioned a “college of the New England type” on the West Coast. Its first classes were held in 1888, and it quickly established itself in Claremont. In the 1920s, facing a choice between expansive growth and preserving its distinct character, then-President James A. Blaisdell pioneered a unique consortium model, inspired by Oxford and Cambridge. This led to the formation of The Claremont Colleges, a system of five undergraduate colleges (the “5Cs”) and two graduate institutions on adjoining campuses. This unique setup allows Pomona students to cross-register for courses, access shared facilities like libraries, and engage with a broader student body while maintaining the intimate feel of a small liberal arts college.

Academic Excellence and a Liberal Arts Core

Pomona College offers a comprehensive liberal arts education, emphasizing both breadth and depth of learning. Students pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree across 48 majors and numerous minors in the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary fields. While Pomona does not offer pre-professional majors like medicine or law, it provides extensive advising for these paths and offers 3-2 engineering programs with institutions like California Institute of Technology, Dartmouth College, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Key academic highlights include:

• Student-Faculty Ratio: A remarkable 7:1, fostering close relationships and personalized mentorship.
• Average Class Size: Intimate classes, averaging 13 students, with 91% of traditional courses having under 30 students.
• Course Offerings: Approximately 650 courses are offered individually by Pomona each semester, with access to around 2,700 courses across the Claremont Colleges.
• Faculty: All classes are taught by professors (not teaching assistants), with 96% holding a doctorate or terminal degree.
• Research Opportunities: Over half of Pomona students engage in research with faculty, with a robust Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) that provides stipends for over 200 students annually.
• Global Learning: Around half of Pomona students participate in one of the 71 study-away programs offered in over 38 countries.

Student Life and Campus Environment

Pomona’s 140-acre campus is located in a picturesque, tree-lined residential community. The college fosters a vibrant and inclusive campus life, with 95% of students living on campus in its 14 residence halls. Students have access to seven dining halls (three at Pomona), and over 250 clubs and organizations across the Claremont Colleges.

Beyond academics, student life thrives with:

• The Arts: Eight musical ensembles, theatre productions, art exhibitions, and access to a vibrant art museum.
• Athletics: Approximately 20% of students participate in 21 varsity teams (The Sagehens, competing in NCAA Division III as part of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – SCIAC), with many more involved in club and intramural sports.
• Traditions: A unique tradition is the annual “Ski-Beach Day,” where students can ski in the mountains in the morning and relax at the beach in the afternoon.
• Leadership Development: Numerous opportunities for leadership, including Orientation Adventure trips led by older students.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Pomona College is highly selective, with an acceptance rate that has recently hovered around 7%. For the Class of 2028, the acceptance rate was 6.76%. The college employs a holistic admissions process, considering academic performance (average unweighted GPA of 3.9 for admitted students), extracurricular involvement, essays, and recommendation letters. While SAT/ACT scores are optional, admitted students typically have SAT composite scores between 1480-1560 and ACT composite scores between 33-35.

A cornerstone of Pomona’s commitment to access is its need-blind admissions policy and its pledge to meet the full demonstrated financial need of all enrolled students. The average financial aid package is over $50,000, and a significant portion of financial aid (around 60%) is funded by Pomona’s substantial endowment.

Endowment and Financial Health

Pomona College boasts a robust endowment, valued at approximately $3 billion. This endowment is a permanent pool of funds, primarily from donations, invested to support the college’s mission in perpetuity. It plays a critical role in:

• Financial Aid: Funding a majority of financial aid, ensuring accessibility regardless of socioeconomic background.
• Operating Budget: Supporting all aspects of the college’s operations, including faculty salaries, athletics, and research.
• Long-Term Stability: Ensuring the institution’s financial health and academic excellence for generations to come.

Pomona’s endowment has consistently outperformed benchmarks, demonstrating prudent investment management. However, like many institutions, Pomona is subject to the endowment tax, which has seen the college pay significant amounts in taxes (over $16 million since 2017), roughly equivalent to 184 full scholarships.

Notable Alumni

Pomona College has produced a distinguished roster of alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields, including:

• Arts & Entertainment: Kris Kristofferson (singer, songwriter, actor), Richard Chamberlain (actor), Roy E. Disney (Walt Disney Company executive), George C. Wolfe (playwright), Robert Towne (screenwriter), Twyla Tharp (choreographer), John Cage (composer).
• Science & Academia: Jennifer Doudna (Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate for CRISPR gene editing), Paul Fussell (literary scholar).
• Politics & Public Service: Brian Schatz (U.S. Senator from Hawaii), Alan Cranston (former U.S. Senator).
• Business: Laszlo Bock (former Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google).
• Journalism: Bill Keller (Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist).
• Other Fields: Myrlie Evers-Williams (civil rights activist), Marianne Williamson (author and political activist).

Pomona College continues to be a beacon of liberal arts education, fostering intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Its unique consortium model, dedicated faculty, and generous financial aid position it as a highly sought-after institution for promising students globally.

FAQs about Pomona College

Where is Pomona College located?
Pomona College is located in Claremont, California, about 35 miles east of Los Angeles.

What type of institution is Pomona College?
It is a private, nonprofit liberal arts college.

When was Pomona College founded?
Pomona College was founded in 1887.

Is Pomona College part of a consortium?
Yes, it is the founding member of The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of seven institutions.

What is unique about The Claremont Colleges model?
It allows students to access shared resources, cross-register for classes, and engage with a broader academic community while enjoying the benefits of a small college environment.

How many undergraduate students attend Pomona College?
Pomona has approximately 1,700 undergraduate students.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Pomona College?
The student-faculty ratio is 7:1.

What is the average class size at Pomona College?
The average class size is 13 students.

Are courses taught by professors or teaching assistants?
All courses are taught by professors; 96% hold a doctorate or terminal degree.

How many majors does Pomona College offer?
Pomona offers 48 majors across a wide range of disciplines.

Does Pomona College offer pre-professional programs?
While it doesn’t offer specific pre-professional majors, it provides strong advising and 3-2 engineering partnerships with Caltech, Dartmouth, and Washington University in St. Louis.

What kind of research opportunities are available to students?
Over half of the students engage in faculty-mentored research, with stipends available through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).

Can students study abroad at Pomona College?
Yes, around 50% of students study abroad through 71 programs in over 38 countries.

How large is the Pomona College campus?
The campus covers 140 acres.

Do most students live on campus?
Yes, about 95% of students live in on-campus housing.

How many dining halls can Pomona students access?
Students can access seven dining halls, including three at Pomona.

What extracurricular activities are available?
Students can choose from over 250 clubs and organizations across The Claremont Colleges.

What kinds of arts programs does Pomona College have?
Pomona has musical ensembles, theatre productions, art exhibitions, and a campus art museum.

What athletics programs are available?
Pomona-Pitzer competes in NCAA Division III with 21 varsity teams, and many students participate in club and intramural sports.

What are some traditions at Pomona College?
A well-known tradition is “Ski-Beach Day,” where students ski in the morning and visit the beach in the afternoon.

What is the acceptance rate at Pomona College?
The acceptance rate is around 6.76% for the Class of 2028.

Is Pomona College test-optional?
Yes, submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional.

What are typical SAT/ACT scores for admitted students?
Admitted students generally have SAT scores between 1480–1560 and ACT scores between 33–35.

Is financial aid need-blind at Pomona College?
Yes, admissions are need-blind, and the college meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

What is the average financial aid package?
The average aid package exceeds $50,000 per year.

How is Pomona College’s financial aid funded?
Approximately 60% of aid is supported by the college’s endowment.

What is the size of Pomona College’s endowment?
The endowment is around $3 billion.

How is the endowment used?
It supports financial aid, academic programs, faculty, research, and overall operational stability.

Has Pomona College been subject to the endowment tax?
Yes, it has paid over $16 million in endowment taxes since 2017.

Who are some notable alumni of Pomona College?
Notable alumni include Jennifer Doudna, Kris Kristofferson, George C. Wolfe, Roy E. Disney, Brian Schatz, and Myrlie Evers-Williams.

Does Pomona College offer leadership development programs?
Yes, including student-led Orientation Adventure trips and various campus leadership roles.

What makes Pomona College stand out among liberal arts colleges?
Its unique consortium model, low student-to-faculty ratio, generous financial aid, and strong academic and extracurricular offerings make it a standout institution.