California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Oxy

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Occidental College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Occidental College 9:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Oxy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Oxy? 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 Oxy ($11,940 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 13.3% lower than at Occidental College ($16,682 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 751.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $58,494 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 225.2% higher at Oxy than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $45,894 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (75% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 207.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($36,400 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Oxy Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 320 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 23 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; Occidental College 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Occidental College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; Oxy - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Oxy (44.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 17.8% at Oxy.

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

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

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $4,652 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($196 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 72%)

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.