California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UCSD

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (44,256 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 San Diego is in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; University of California San Diego 19:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UCSD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or UCSD? 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 UCSD ($11,940 vs. $14,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 12.1% lower than at University of California San Diego ($16,682 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 115.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $8,978 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150% higher at UCSD than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $30,578 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at University of California San Diego (74% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 117.7% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($25,757 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UCSD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 250 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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 San Diego 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; UCSD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 20.4% at UCSD.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and UCSD? 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($18,500 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($191 vs. $196).
• More UCSD 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.