California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UC Davis

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (40,065 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 Davis is in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; University of California Davis 22:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or UC Davis? 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 Davis ($11,940 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 14.1% lower than at University of California Davis ($16,682 vs. $19,426).
• University of California Davis is 115.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $8,994 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.1% higher at UC Davis than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $30,594 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at University of California Davis (74% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 107.8% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($24,591 vs. $11,833).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 150 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 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 Davis 1160/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; University of California Davis 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; UC Davis - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 16.4% at UC Davis.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and UC Davis? 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 Davis's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $4,324 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($14,676 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($151 vs. $196).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.