Carleton College vs Pomona College
Carleton College and Pomona College, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Carleton, located in Northfield, Minnesota, boasts a lower acceptance rate (19%) compared to Pomona's (13%). Carleton's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,100 students, while Pomona's is around 1,800. Both colleges offer a diverse range of majors, with Carleton being known for its strengths in the natural sciences and social sciences, while Pomona excels in the humanities and social sciences. Carleton's graduation rate is slightly higher at 91% compared to Pomona's 89%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, providing valuable insights into the unique offerings of each institution.
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![]() Carleton College |
![]() Pomona College |
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Overview |
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Location | Northfield, Minnesota | Claremont, California |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Trimester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 95.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 17.5% | 6.6% |
Application fees | $70 | |
SAT range | 1408 - 1550 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 31 - 35 | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | 37.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 34.0% | 29.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,915 | 11,620 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,389 | 771 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 555 | 451 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 58.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $78,315 | $74,873 |
Average net price | $31,718 | $17,000 |
Tuition | $59,850 | $56,284 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,115
Meal plan:
$7,260
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Room/dormitory:
$10,666
Meal plan:
$7,858
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
65.0%
Average amount $45,715 |
57.0%
Average amount $53,094 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $3,914 |
4.0%
Average amount $4,273 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $14,334 |
6.0%
Average amount $11,349 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,044
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
1,764
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 81.5% | N/A |
International students | 10.2% | 11.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,854 | 1,612 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota California Illinois New York Texas | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 7:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.4% | 93.0% |
Dropout rate | 8.3% | 4.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | 2.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Physics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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