California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Pomona in Pomona, CA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 27,636 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or VCU? 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 VCU ($11,940 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 8.6% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,682 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 117.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $9,165 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.8% higher at VCU than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $19,729 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (88% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 19.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($14,186 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 10 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming VCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) 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. 21.6% at VCU.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and VCU? 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).

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($196 vs. $240).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 56%)

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.