California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Pomona

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Pomona College 7:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Pomona? 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 Pomona ($11,940 vs. $19,938).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 22% lower than at Pomona College ($16,682 vs. $21,394).
• Pomona College is 740.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $57,640 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 221% higher at Pomona than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $45,040 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at Pomona College (74% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 452.4% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($65,362 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Pomona Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 400 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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; Pomona College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Pomona College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; Pomona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

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

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

• Pomona College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($11,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($113 vs. $196).

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.