California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (41,137 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); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or San Diego 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 San Diego State ($11,940 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 27.6% lower than at San Diego State University ($16,682 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego State University is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $948 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at San Diego State than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $948 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at San Diego State University (74% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 1.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($12,053 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 70 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 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; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

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

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

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $3,651 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($15,349 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($158 vs. $196).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 65%)

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.