California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than UCSB based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 26,133 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or UCSB? 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 UCSB ($11,940 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 17.7% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($16,682 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 111% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $8,634 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.4% higher at UCSB than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $30,234 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at University of California Santa Barbara (74% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 108.7% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($24,695 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 220 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming UCSB 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 Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB 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 UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and UCSB? 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 Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $2,549 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($16,451 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($170 vs. $196).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.