California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Sacramento State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (31,943 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 Sacramento is in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; California State University Sacramento 24:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Sacramento State? 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 Sacramento than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($10,110 vs. $11,940).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 13% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($16,682 vs. $19,174).
• California State University Sacramento is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $238 more per year; $8,018.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Sacramento State than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $238 more per year; $20,618.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (82% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 7.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($12,767 vs. $11,833).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (1130) is 100 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Sacramento State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; California State University Sacramento 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; California State University Sacramento 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; Sacramento State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Sacramento State (3.42).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) 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. 15.3% at Sacramento State.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and Sacramento State? 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 Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Sacramento State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($15,750 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($162 vs. $196).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 64%)

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.