California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (37,661 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 Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or San Jose 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 Jose State ($11,940 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 20.5% lower than at San Jose State University ($16,682 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $630 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at San Jose State than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $630 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at San Jose State University (74% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($12,353 vs. $11,833).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (1130) is the same as at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) 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. 14.7% at San Jose State.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($155 vs. $196).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.