California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Sonoma State University? 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 Sonoma State University ($11,940 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 0.7% lower than at Sonoma State University ($16,682 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 10.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $844 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $844 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (83% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students is 30.1% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($11,833 vs. $9,094).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (1130) is 80 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) 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. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

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

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

• Sonoma State University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($17,500 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($180 vs. $196).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sonoma State University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 69%)

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.