California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UCI

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (37,297 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 Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; University of California Irvine 19:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UCI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or UCI? 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 UCI ($11,940 vs. $15,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 12.2% lower than at University of California Irvine ($16,682 vs. $18,991).
• University of California Irvine is 102.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $7,942 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145% higher at UCI than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $29,542 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at University of California Irvine (74% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 95.3% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($23,110 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UCI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 200 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming UCI 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 Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; UCI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 19.2% at UCI.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and UCI? 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 Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($175 vs. $196).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.