California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Pomona in Pomona, CA with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 26,940 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or ECU? 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 ECU ($11,940 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 30.8% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($11,541 vs. $16,682).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $419 more per year; $7,780.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16% higher at ECU than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $3,258 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at East Carolina University (74% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students is 21% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($11,833 vs. $9,776).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. ECU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 30 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at ECU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) 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. 17.1% at ECU.

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

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

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $5,788 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($19,000 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($196 vs. $256).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 63%)

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.