Cal State Fullerton vs. Pomona

California State University Fullerton and Pomona College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Fullerton
Pomona College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pomona (7.1% admitted vs 90.5%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal State Fullerton. Average net price is $7,064 vs $19,938 at Pomona.
  • Graduation: Cal State Fullerton 50% vs Pomona 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cal State Fullerton $49,000 vs Pomona $70,500 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Fullerton Pomona College
Acceptance rate
Pomona more selective
Cal State Fullerton90.5%
Pomona7.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pomona higher
Cal State Fullerton1000-1180
Pomona1490-1560
Average net price
Cal State Fullerton $12,874 less
Cal State Fullerton$7,064
Pomona$19,938
In-state tuition
Cal State Fullerton $57,950 less
Cal State Fullerton$7,470
Pomona$65,420
Out-of-state tuition
Cal State Fullerton $45,350 less
Cal State Fullerton$20,070
Pomona$65,420
Graduation rate
Pomona +45 pts
Cal State Fullerton50%
Pomona95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pomona +$21,500
Cal State Fullerton$49,000
Pomona$70,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cal State Fullerton 53,559
  • Pomona 12,249
  • Admitted
  • Cal State Fullerton 48,482
  • Pomona 868
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cal State Fullerton 90.5%
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cal State Fullerton 14.2%
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cal State Fullerton 1090
  • Pomona 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cal State Fullerton 20
  • Pomona 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cal State Fullerton 3.77
  • Pomona 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cal State Fullerton A-
  • Pomona A
  • Admissions standards
  • Cal State Fullerton Very Easy
  • Pomona Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Cal State Fullerton
  • Pomona Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Cal State Fullerton 1000-1180
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Cal State Fullerton 18-23
  • Pomona 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Cal State Fullerton Test-free
  • Pomona Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cal State Fullerton $7,470
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cal State Fullerton $20,070
  • Pomona $65,420
  • Room & board
  • Cal State Fullerton $19,080
  • Pomona $21,394
  • Average net price
  • Cal State Fullerton $7,064
  • Pomona $19,938
  • Average grant aid
  • Cal State Fullerton $11,234
  • Pomona $65,362
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cal State Fullerton 78%
  • Pomona 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cal State Fullerton 50%
  • Pomona 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cal State Fullerton $49,000
  • Pomona $70,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cal State Fullerton 69%
  • Pomona -
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cal State Fullerton $15,000
  • Pomona $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Cal State Fullerton $155
  • Pomona $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cal State Fullerton 26:1
  • Pomona 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cal State Fullerton
    • Business (25%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Cal State Fullerton Fullerton, CA
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • Setting
  • Cal State Fullerton Midsize City
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Cal State Fullerton 43,662
  • Pomona 1,700
  • Type
  • Cal State Fullerton Public 4 Year
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cal State Fullerton #799
  • Pomona #20

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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 226% higher at Pomona than at California State University Fullerton (about $45,350 more per year; $65,420 vs. $20,070).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 14 points higher at Pomona than at Cal State Fullerton (34 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Cal State Fullerton, test optional at Pomona.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Pomona Jan 8, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pomona average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at Cal State Fullerton (3.77).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 50.2% at Pomona.

Loans and repayment

  • 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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