California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or UC Merced? 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 Merced ($11,940 vs. $13,690).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 22.2% lower than at University of California Merced ($16,682 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 100.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $7,843 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.5% higher at UC Merced than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $29,443 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (89% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 130.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($27,292 vs. $11,833).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (1130) is 80 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UC Merced (3.55).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) 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. 7.2% at UC Merced.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and UC Merced? 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 Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $899 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($196 vs. $205).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Merced students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 64%)

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.