California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); University of San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or USF? 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 USF ($11,940 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 15.6% lower than at University of San Francisco ($16,682 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 677.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $52,712 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 196.8% higher at USF than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $40,112 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (95% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 193.4% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($34,723 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 160 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming USF students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 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 San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at USF (3.57).
• California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 6% at USF.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and USF? 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 San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($19,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($196 vs. $258).
• More USF 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.