Head-to-head comparison
Barnard College vs. Pomona College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Barnard or Pomona harder to get into?
Pomona is harder to get into than Barnard. Pomona's 7.1% acceptance rate is lower than Barnard's 8.8%.
Which is cheaper, Barnard or Pomona?
Pomona costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Pomona's average net price is $19,285 vs $28,800 at Barnard.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Barnard graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $80,516 at Barnard and $77,779 at Pomona.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Barnard | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 8.8% | 7.1% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1470–1560 | 1490–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–34 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,538 | $85,300 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $28,800 | $19,285 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 3,264 | 1,666 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 93.0% | 93.2% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $80,516 | $77,779 |
| Setting | New York, New York | Claremont, California |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Pomona is modestly harder to get into. The 1.8-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Pomona is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $9,515 per year, $38,060 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Barnard is substantially larger with 3,264 undergrads vs 1,666 at Pomona. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Barnard is in New York, New York; Pomona is in Claremont, California. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Barnard is 100.0% women, 15.6% international, and 21.9% Asian-American. Pomona is 55.2% women, 13.7% international, and 18.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Barnard | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 100.0% | 55.2% |
| International | 15.6% | 13.7% |
| White | 32.4% | 28.3% |
| Asian | 21.9% | 18.7% |
| Hispanic | 14.3% | 17.2% |
| Black | 5.5% | 9.2% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Barnard vs. Pomona?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Barnard if
- Your odds are realistic at Barnard (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($80,516 vs $77,779)
- its partnership with Columbia
Pick Pomona if
- Net price matters: Pomona costs $9,515 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Claremont Consortium
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Barnard College
8.8% accept · New York, New York
Full profile
Pomona College
7.1% accept · Claremont, California
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.