ASU vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Comparable Facts

Compare Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ with California State Polytechnic University Pomona in Pomona, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arizona State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (79,818 students vs. 27,636 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arizona State University is located in Tempe, AZ (Midsize City setting); California State Polytechnic University Pomona is in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Arizona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arizona State University 18:1; California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1.

ASU vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than ASU ($11,940 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 0.2% lower than at Arizona State University ($16,682 vs. $16,712).
• Arizona State University is 57.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $4,443 more per year; $12,223.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.6% higher at ASU than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $12,759 more per year; $33,139.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arizona State University than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (89% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arizona State University students is 2.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($12,172 vs. $11,833).

ASU vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arizona State University (1210) is 80 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming ASU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 1100/1320; California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 21/28; California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at ASU (3.54).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.1% at ASU vs. 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

ASU vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arizona State University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $1,278 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($19,000 vs. $20,278).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($196 vs. $209).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.