Caltech vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with California State Polytechnic University Pomona in Pomona, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than Caltech based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); California State Polytechnic University Pomona is in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1.

Caltech vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech 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 Caltech ($11,940 vs. $14,513).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 17.8% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($16,682 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 747% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $58,118 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 223.3% higher at Caltech than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $45,518 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at California Institute of Technology (74% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 511.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($72,373 vs. $11,833).

Caltech vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech 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 Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 430 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 23 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

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

How do outcomes compare for Caltech 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).

• California Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $30,400 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $4,650 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($14,350 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($148 vs. $196).

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.