California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Pomona in Pomona, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($11,940 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 18.5% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($13,600 vs. $16,682).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 621.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $48,382 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 175.6% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $35,782 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (74% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 260.2% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($42,627 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (1130) is the same as at SCI-Arc (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) 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. 7% at SCI-Arc.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $23,750 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($19,000 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $246 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($196 vs. $442).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 62%)

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.