California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 8,976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Pepperdine? 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 Pepperdine ($11,940 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 23.3% lower than at Pepperdine University ($16,682 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 798.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $62,138 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 243.1% higher at Pepperdine than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $49,538 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (91% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 127.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($26,927 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 240 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming Pepperdine students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 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; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

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

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

• Pepperdine University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($196 vs. $268).
• More Pepperdine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.