Cal State Fullerton vs. Pomona

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA with Pomona College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fullerton is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Pomona College 7:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Pomona? 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 University Fullerton than Pomona ($7,064 vs. $19,938).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 10.8% lower than at Pomona College ($19,080 vs. $21,394).
• Pomona College is 775.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $57,950 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 226% higher at Pomona than at California State University Fullerton (about $45,350 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at Pomona College (78% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 481.8% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($65,362 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Pomona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or Pomona? 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 Pomona and Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 440 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 14 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Pomona College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Pomona College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Pomona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Cal State Fullerton (3.77).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Pomona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Pomona? 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).

• Pomona College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $21,500 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($11,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($113 vs. $155).

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.