California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UC Berkeley

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (45,882 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); University of California Berkeley is in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; University of California Berkeley 18:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UC Berkeley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or UC Berkeley? 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 UC Berkeley ($11,940 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 29.8% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($16,682 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 110.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $8,567 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148% higher at UC Berkeley than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $30,167 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at University of California Berkeley (74% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 150.2% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($29,608 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UC Berkeley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 290 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming UC Berkeley 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; University of California Berkeley 1310/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; University of California Berkeley 30/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; UC Berkeley - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 46% at UC Berkeley.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UC Berkeley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $4,800 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($14,200 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($146 vs. $196).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.