California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. K-State

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than K-State based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 20,295 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Kansas State University is in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Kansas State University 19:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or K-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 Polytechnic University Pomona than K-State ($11,940 vs. $20,527).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kansas State University are 23.1% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($12,830 vs. $16,682).
• Kansas State University is 44.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $3,441 more per year; $11,221.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.2% higher at K-State than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $8,188 more per year; $28,568.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kansas State University than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (92% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Kansas State University students ($11,833 vs. $9,270).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kansas State University (1160) is 30 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at K-State (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; Kansas State University 1060/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Kansas State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; K-State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• K-State has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) 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. 27.5% at K-State.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and K-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).

• Kansas State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than K-State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $49,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than K-State graduates ($19,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than K-State graduates ($196 vs. $232).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former K-State 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.