Head-to-head comparison
Pomona College vs. Williams College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Pomona or Williams harder to get into?
Pomona is harder to get into than Williams. Pomona's 7.1% acceptance rate is lower than Williams's 8.3%.
Which is cheaper, Pomona or Williams?
Williams costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Williams's average net price is $17,716 vs $19,285 at Pomona.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Williams graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $77,779 at Pomona and $88,665 at Williams.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Pomona | Williams |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.1% | 8.3% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1490–1560 | 1490–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $85,300 | $84,860 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $19,285 | $17,716 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,666 | 2,076 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 93.2% | 93.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $77,779 | $88,665 |
| Setting | Claremont, California | Williamstown, Massachusetts |
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 1.2-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Net cost is essentially the same at both schools after grants and scholarships, despite different sticker prices. Both schools meet most demonstrated need for in-range income brackets.
Williams graduates earn $10,886 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Pomona grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Pomona is in Claremont, California; Williams is in Williamstown, Massachusetts. 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.
Pomona has a more international student body (13.7% non-resident students vs 8.8%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Pomona is 55.2% women, 13.7% international, and 18.7% Asian-American. Williams is 52.5% women, 8.8% international, and 12.5% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Pomona | Williams |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 55.2% | 52.5% |
| International | 13.7% | 8.8% |
| White | 28.3% | 46.6% |
| Asian | 18.7% | 12.5% |
| Hispanic | 17.2% | 14.1% |
| Black | 9.2% | 6.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Pomona vs. Williams?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Pomona if
- the Claremont Consortium
Pick Williams if
- Your odds are realistic at Williams (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Williams costs $1,569 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($88,665 vs $77,779)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- tutorials that replicate Oxford-style two-student seminars
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
Pomona College
7.1% accept · Claremont, California
Full profile
Williams College
8.3% accept · Williamstown, Massachusetts
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.