California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. USC

Should I go to California State Polytechnic University Pomona or University of Southern California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or USC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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California State Polytechnic University Pomona vs. University of Southern California comparison
California State Polytechnic University Pomona University of Southern California College 3 College 4
California State Polytechnic University Pomona University of Southern California
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Overview

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona USC
Location Pomona, CA Los Angeles, CA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 27,503 48,945
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #550 #34
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csupomona.edu usc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona USC
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $63,468
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $63,468
Room & Board $16,330 $17,436
Avg Net Price $12,480 $36,808
Avg Grant Aid $9,040 $45,262
% Receiving Grant Aid 71% 71%

Admission

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona USC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 49,079 69,062
Admitted 27,179 8,304
Acceptance Rate 55.4% 12%
Enrolled % 13.4% 41.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.83
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Elite
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 19/27 32/35
SAT Range 1010/1250 1450/1550
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2024

Academics

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona USC
Student to Faculty Ratio 25:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Engineering (15%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Architecture (5%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)

Outcomes

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona USC
Graduation Rate 50% 90%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $55,400 $85,500
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,000 $22,375
Median Loan Payment $196 $231

Diversity

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona USC
% Men 54% 46%
% Women 46% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 19% 40%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 40% 14%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 5% 13%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona USC
% In-State 99% 42%
% Out-of-State 1% 40%

Campus

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona USC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Southern California is larger than than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (48,945 students vs. 27,503 students)

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or USC?

  • University of Southern California is 1,005.3% more expensive to attend than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona for in-state tuition ($63,468.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 260.2% higher at USC than California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($63,468.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than USC ($12,480 vs. $36,808)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 6.8% lower than costs at University of Southern California ($16,330 vs. $17,436)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona as University of Southern California (71% vs. 71%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 400.7% larger than aid received California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($45,262 vs. $9,040)

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. USC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or USC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USC or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona .

  • The average SAT score at University of Southern California (1391) is 325 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1066)
  • Incoming USC students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (32) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (24)
  • Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a higher acceptance rate (55.4%) than USC (12%)

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

Which is better, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or USC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between USC and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

  • The graduation rate at USC is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona (90% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from University of Southern California earn on average $30,100 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates after ten years. ($85,500 vs. $55,400)
  • California State Polytechnic University Pomona students graduate with a $3,375 lower median federal student loan debt than USC graduates. ($19,000 vs. $22,375)
  • California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans than USC graduates. ($196 vs. $231)
  • More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/