Pomona vs. San Diego State

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

Pomona College
San Diego State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Pomona (7.1% admitted vs 36.2%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: San Diego State. Average net price is $14,704 vs $19,938 at Pomona.
  • Graduation: Pomona 95% vs San Diego State 66%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pomona $70,500 vs San Diego State $53,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Pomona College San Diego State University
Acceptance rate
Pomona more selective
Pomona7.1%
San Diego State36.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Pomona higher
Pomona1490-1560
San Diego State1090-1300
Average net price
San Diego State $5,234 less
Pomona$19,938
San Diego State$14,704
In-state tuition
San Diego State $56,692 less
Pomona$65,420
San Diego State$8,728
Out-of-state tuition
San Diego State $44,092 less
Pomona$65,420
San Diego State$21,328
Graduation rate
Pomona +29 pts
Pomona95%
San Diego State66%
Median earnings (10 years)
Pomona +$17,100
Pomona$70,500
San Diego State$53,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Pomona and San Diego State with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Pomona Check my chances at San Diego State
  • Applied
  • Pomona 12,249
  • San Diego State 89,972
  • Admitted
  • Pomona 868
  • San Diego State 32,561
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pomona 7.1%
  • San Diego State 36.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pomona 50.2%
  • San Diego State 20.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pomona 1530
  • San Diego State 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pomona 34
  • San Diego State 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pomona 3.89
  • San Diego State 3.82
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pomona A
  • San Diego State A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pomona Elite
  • San Diego State Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Pomona Extreme
  • San Diego State High
  • SAT range
  • Pomona 1490-1560
  • San Diego State 1090-1300
  • ACT range
  • Pomona 33-35
  • San Diego State 22-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Pomona Test optional
  • San Diego State Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Pomona Jan 8, 2027
  • San Diego State Nov 30, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • San Diego State $8,728
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pomona $65,420
  • San Diego State $21,328
  • Room & board
  • Pomona $21,394
  • San Diego State $23,030
  • Average net price
  • Pomona $19,938
  • San Diego State $14,704
  • Average grant aid
  • Pomona $65,362
  • San Diego State $12,053
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pomona 59%
  • San Diego State 47%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pomona 95%
  • San Diego State 66%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pomona $70,500
  • San Diego State $53,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pomona -
  • San Diego State 65%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pomona $11,000
  • San Diego State $15,349
  • Median loan payment
  • Pomona $113
  • San Diego State $158
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pomona 7:1
  • San Diego State 27:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pomona
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • San Diego State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Pomona Claremont, CA
  • San Diego State San Diego, CA
  • Setting
  • Pomona Large Suburban
  • San Diego State Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Pomona 1,700
  • San Diego State 41,137
  • Type
  • Pomona Private 4 Year
  • San Diego State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pomona #20
  • San Diego State #353

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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 206.7% higher at Pomona than at San Diego State University (about $44,092 more per year; $65,420 vs. $21,328).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 9 points higher at Pomona than at San Diego State (34 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Pomona, test-free at San Diego State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pomona Jan 8, 2027; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pomona average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at San Diego State (3.82).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.2% at Pomona vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Loans and repayment

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Pomona College
San Diego State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges