California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or CSUMB? 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 CSUMB ($11,940 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 3.2% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($16,682 vs. $17,234).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is 0% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $1 more per year; $7,780.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $1 more per year; $20,380.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at California State University Monterey Bay (74% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 3% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($12,185 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (1130) is 70 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) 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. 9.8% at CSUMB.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and CSUMB? 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 Polytechnic University Pomona's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($144 vs. $196).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSUMB students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 66%)

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.