California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or SCU? 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 SCU ($11,940 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 16.1% lower than at Santa Clara University ($16,682 vs. $19,893).
• Santa Clara University is 687.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $53,513 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 200.8% higher at SCU than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $40,913 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at Santa Clara University (74% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Clara University students is 139.7% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($28,368 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 290 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming SCU students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at SCU (3.67).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than SCU (48%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 17.7% at SCU.

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

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

• Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $26,500 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($196 vs. $222).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.