Cal Poly vs. Pomona

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and Pomona College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Pomona College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pomona (7.1% admitted vs 31.3%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal Poly. Average net price is $17,453 vs $19,938 at Pomona.
  • Graduation: Cal Poly 75% vs Pomona 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cal Poly $69,400 vs Pomona $70,500 (median).
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Key differences

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Pomona College
Acceptance rate
Pomona more selective
Cal Poly31.3%
Pomona7.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pomona higher
Cal Poly1220-1410
Pomona1490-1560
Average net price
Cal Poly $2,485 less
Cal Poly$17,453
Pomona$19,938
In-state tuition
Cal Poly $51,824 less
Cal Poly$13,596
Pomona$65,420
Out-of-state tuition
Cal Poly $30,755 less
Cal Poly$34,665
Pomona$65,420
Graduation rate
Pomona +20 pts
Cal Poly75%
Pomona95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pomona +$1,100
Cal Poly$69,400
Pomona$70,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cal Poly 68,371
  • Pomona 12,249
  • Admitted
  • Cal Poly 21,416
  • Pomona 868
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cal Poly 31.3%
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cal Poly 24.6%
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cal Poly 1320
  • Pomona 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cal Poly 29
  • Pomona 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cal Poly 4.0
  • Pomona 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cal Poly A/A+
  • Pomona A
  • Admissions standards
  • Cal Poly Very High
  • Pomona Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Cal Poly High
  • Pomona Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Cal Poly 1220-1410
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Cal Poly 26-32
  • Pomona 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Cal Poly Test-free
  • Pomona Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cal Poly $13,596
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cal Poly $34,665
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Room & board
  • Cal Poly $18,792
  • Pomona $21,394
  • Average net price
  • Cal Poly $17,453
  • Pomona $19,938
  • Average grant aid
  • Cal Poly $14,338
  • Pomona $65,362
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cal Poly 48%
  • Pomona 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cal Poly 75%
  • Pomona 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cal Poly $69,400
  • Pomona $70,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cal Poly 85%
  • Pomona -
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cal Poly $18,666
  • Pomona $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Cal Poly $193
  • Pomona $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cal Poly 19:1
  • Pomona 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cal Poly
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Agriculture (15%)
    • Architecture (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • Cal Poly Small Suburban
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Cal Poly 23,069
  • Pomona 1,700
  • Type
  • Cal Poly Public 4 Year
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cal Poly #151
  • Pomona #20

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA with Pomona College in Claremont, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Pomona based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 1,700 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting); Pomona College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pomona College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Pomona College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 12.2% lower than at Pomona College ($18,792 vs. $21,394).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 88.7% higher at Pomona than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $30,755 more per year; $65,420 vs. $34,665).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pomona College than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (59% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pomona College students is 355.9% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($65,362 vs. $14,338).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Pomona than at Cal Poly (34 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Cal Poly, test optional at Pomona.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cal Poly average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Pomona (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pomona College graduates have a $7,666 lower median loan debt than Cal Poly graduates ($11,000 vs. $18,666).
  • Among borrowers, Pomona graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal Poly graduates ($113 vs. $193).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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