California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Cal State Fullerton

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 27,636 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Fullerton is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; California State University Fullerton 26:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Cal State Fullerton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Cal State Fullerton? 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 University Fullerton than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($7,064 vs. $11,940).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 12.6% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($16,682 vs. $19,080).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $310 more per year; $7,780.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona than at California State University Fullerton (about $310 more per year; $20,380.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (78% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students is 5.3% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($11,833 vs. $11,234).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Cal State Fullerton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (1130) is 40 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; California State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; Cal State Fullerton - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) 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. 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Cal State Fullerton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and Cal State Fullerton? 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).

• The graduation rate at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is the same as at California State University Fullerton (50% vs. 50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($155 vs. $196).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 69%)

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.