Claremont, California, Sept. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomona College’s newest cohort of students reflects the College’s commitment to providing an accessible and affordable liberal arts education to students of exceptional promise, regardless of background.
For the 2026-27 academic year, 63% of Pomona’s 414 first-year students—who hailed from 42 states, the District of Columbia and 27 countries—received financial aid, totaling $19.6 million. Among first-year students, 29% will be the first in their families to earn a four-year college degree.
Additionally, 27 transfer students enrolled at Pomona this year, including 21 who transferred from community colleges. The cohort also includes four veterans, with both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy represented. Twenty-four transfer students received institutional financial aid, ensuring that talented students from varied backgrounds can pursue a Pomona education.
During the 2025-26 academic year, 970 students received more than $68 million in need-based financial aid.
Pomona’s longstanding academic excellence and deep commitment to making a Pomona education accessible to talented students from all backgrounds has been reflected in its rankings. Pomona was recently recognized as one of the nation’s best liberal arts institutions by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR), ranking third on their 2027 Best College list of National Liberal Arts Colleges. Per USNWR’s rankings methodology, liberal arts colleges focus almost exclusively on undergraduate education and award at least 50% of their degrees in the arts and sciences.
Among its liberal arts college peers, Pomona was also ranked third in USNWR’s Best Value category, eighth in Undergraduate Teaching, and fifteenth in Social Mobility. USNWR’s Best Value rankings are based on a school’s academic quality and its true cost after need-based financial aid. Its Social Mobility rankings are based on a school’s enrollment and graduation rates of students awarded Pell Grants.
USNWR also recognized the College for the quality of its first-year experiences, undergraduate research and creative projects, and innovation. Last month, Pomona welcomed new students at move-in day and with a series of orientation adventures, which ranged from exploring the Los Angeles food scene to volunteering at local community-based organizations. And this summer, more than 100 students from all class years participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program and the Pomona College Internship Program, both of which provide funding for students to pursue academic and career opportunities.
Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading liberal arts colleges, offering an ideal environment for intellectually curious students to pursue their academic and life goals. Pomona holds a unique role in creating opportunity in American higher education and is committed to enrolling the best students regardless of financial circumstances. To that end, Pomona College is one of a small group of colleges committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all students who enroll. Established in 1887, the College is located in Claremont, Calif., about 35 miles east of Los Angeles.
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Rachael Warecki Pomona College 9096218503 communications@pomona.edu