California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 15,257 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Chico is in Chico, CA (Small City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; California State University Chico 23:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or CSU? 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 CSU ($11,940 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 1.1% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($16,500 vs. $16,682).
• California State University Chico is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $692 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at CSU than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $692 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at California State University Chico (74% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students is 2.8% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($11,833 vs. $11,509).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or CSU? 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 CSU and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (1130) is 60 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; California State University Chico 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; California State University Chico 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; CSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 10.2% at CSU.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and CSU? 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 State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $52,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($175 vs. $196).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 70%)

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.