Pomona vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 1,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pomona College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pomona College 7:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Pomona vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pomona or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University than Pomona ($14,704 vs. $19,938).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pomona College are 7.1% lower than at San Diego State University ($21,394 vs. $23,030).
• Pomona College is 649.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $56,692 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 206.7% higher at Pomona than at San Diego State University (about $44,092 more per year; $65,420.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at San Diego State University (59% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 442.3% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($65,362 vs. $12,053).

Pomona vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pomona or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State and Pomona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pomona College (1530) is 330 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming Pomona students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 1490/1560; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pomona College 33/35; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pomona - Test optional; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Pomona students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than Pomona (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Pomona vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pomona and San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from Pomona College earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,500 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $4,349 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($11,000 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($113 vs. $158).

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.