California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. California State University-Northridge

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Northridge is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (38,313 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 Northridge is in Northridge, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; California State University Northridge 25:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. California State University-Northridge Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or California State University-Northridge? 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 Northridge than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($7,536 vs. $11,940).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 17.3% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($13,804 vs. $16,682).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $322 more per year; $7,780.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona than at California State University Northridge (about $322 more per year; $20,380.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (83% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 8.4% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($12,825 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. California State University-Northridge Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (1130) is 120 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at California State University-Northridge).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; California State University Northridge 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; California State University Northridge 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; California State University-Northridge - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at California State University-Northridge (3.38).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) 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. 18% at California State University-Northridge.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and California State University-Northridge? 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 Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $4,804 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($14,196 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($146 vs. $196).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 59%)

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.