California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UH at Manoa

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than UH at Manoa based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 20,028 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Hawaii at Manoa is in Honolulu, HI (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; University of Hawaii at Manoa 15:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UH at Manoa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or UH at Manoa? 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 UH at Manoa ($11,940 vs. $17,202).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Manoa are 12.1% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($14,658 vs. $16,682).
• University of Hawaii at Manoa is 56.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $4,406 more per year; $12,186.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.9% higher at UH at Manoa than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $13,838 more per year; $34,218.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at University of Hawaii at Manoa (74% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students is 47.2% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Manoa students ($11,833 vs. $8,039).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UH at Manoa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hawaii at Manoa (1190) is 60 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UH at Manoa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; University of Hawaii at Manoa 1081/1293.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; University of Hawaii at Manoa 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; UH at Manoa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UH at Manoa (3.67).
• UH at Manoa has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) 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. 21.4% at UH at Manoa.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. UH at Manoa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and UH at Manoa? 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 Hawaii at Manoa's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than UH at Manoa graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($18,750 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UH at Manoa graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($193 vs. $196).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH at Manoa students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 69%)

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.