California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than Stanford based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 18,625 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Stanford University 6:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Stanford? 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 Stanford ($11,940 vs. $25,078).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 21.7% lower than at Stanford University ($16,682 vs. $21,315).
• Stanford University is 747.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $58,130 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 223.4% higher at Stanford than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $45,530 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at Stanford University (74% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 430.3% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($62,755 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 420 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming Stanford students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

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

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

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $67,500 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $6,525 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($12,475 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($128 vs. $196).
• More Stanford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.