California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than San Francisco State based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 22,563 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

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

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or San Francisco 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 Francisco State ($11,940 vs. $13,168).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 25.1% lower than at San Francisco State University ($16,682 vs. $22,266).
• San Francisco State University is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $170 more per year; $7,950.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at San Francisco State than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $170 more per year; $20,550.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (77% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 9.8% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($12,996 vs. $11,833).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (1130) is 100 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) 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. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

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

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

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than San Francisco State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($17,250 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($178 vs. $196).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 63%)

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.