About Pomona College
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An Engine of Opportunity
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.
Different from the Start
From the beginning, Pomona College has been a place of boundless possibility, opportunity and intellectual exploration. Its founders came to California seeking to create “a college of the New England type” on the West Coast.
Fast Facts
Mission Statement
Throughout its history, Pomona College has educated students of exceptional promise. We gather individuals, regardless of financial circumstances, into a small residential community that is strongly rooted in Southern California yet global in its orientation.
Through close ties among a diverse group of faculty, staff and classmates, Pomona students are inspired to engage in the probing inquiry and creative learning that enable them to identify and address their intellectual passions. This experience will continue to guide their contributions as the next generation of leaders, scholars, artists and engaged members of society to fulfill the vision of the College’s founders: to bear their added riches in trust for all.
The Claremont Colleges
The founding member of The Claremont Colleges, Pomona is one of five undergraduate colleges (known as the 5Cs) and two graduate institutions that make up this unique consortium. Located within one square mile, the seven adjoining campuses are only a short walk from one another.
College Leadership
President G. Gabrielle Starr is a national voice on access to college for students of all backgrounds and on the future of higher education. Starr took office as the 10th president of Pomona College in 2017 with a track record of promoting greater access to higher education.
Visit Pomona College
Pomona College is located in Claremont, Calif., a tree-lined residential community of 35,000 near the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Within 50 miles of the campus lies all that Southern California has to offer—from academic and cultural centers, theme parks and attractions, to the desert, mountains and beaches.