California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 23,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or WSU? 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 WSU ($11,940 vs. $14,416).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 14.6% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($14,252 vs. $16,682).
• Wayne State University is 95.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $7,410 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.2% higher at WSU than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $11,657 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (98% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 9.5% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($12,953 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming WSU 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; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) 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. 22.4% at WSU.

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

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

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $3,258 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($19,000 vs. $22,258).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($196 vs. $230).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 38%)

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.