California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 23,024 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada-Reno ($11,940 vs. $17,226).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 13.1% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($14,496 vs. $16,682).
• University of Nevada Reno is 23.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $1,798 more per year; $9,578.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36% higher at University of Nevada-Reno than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $7,340 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (93% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students is 60.4% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($11,833 vs. $7,375).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nevada Reno (1180) is 50 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at University of Nevada-Reno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; University of Nevada Reno 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than University of Nevada-Reno (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada Reno's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than University of Nevada-Reno graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Reno graduates have a $199 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($18,801 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Nevada-Reno graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($194 vs. $196).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno 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.