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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs Pomona College

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo, CA. Pomona College is a private college in Claremont, CA. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo about 31%, making Pomona College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $16,665 a year at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo after aid, and about $19,285 at Pomona College. About 93% of students graduate at Pomona College, compared with 86% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Ten years after enrolling, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo alumni earn a median of about $90,768, against $77,779 for Pomona College.

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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

Pomona College

Claremont, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Claremont, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
21,996
1,666
Acceptance rate
31%
7%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1220–1410
1490–1560
ACT (middle 50%)
26–32
33–35
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,665
$19,285
Full cost / yr
$32,265
$85,300
In-state tuition
$13,596
$65,420
Out-of-state tuition
$34,665
$65,420
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,529
$4,841
$30k - $48k
$7,253
$7,026
$48k - $75k
$9,896
$17,054
$75k - $110k
$15,786
$15,719
Over $110k
$27,772
$37,842
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
93%
Freshman retention
96%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$72,358
$60,850
Median earnings (10 yr)
$90,768
$77,779
Median debt at graduation
$18,500
$11,782
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
20%
First-generation students
25%
30%
International students
1%
14%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 8
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Jan 8

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Pomona College harder to get into?
Pomona College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 31% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Pomona College?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,665 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,285 at Pomona College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Pomona College?
Before aid, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo costs about $32,265 a year and Pomona College about $85,300. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Pomona College?
Pomona College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,841 there, against about $7,529 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Pomona College?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is the larger of the two, with about 21,996 undergraduates against 1,666 at Pomona College.
Does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Pomona College have a better graduation rate?
Pomona College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 86% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Do graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Pomona College earn more?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo alumni earn more on average: a median of about $90,768 ten years after enrolling, against about $77,779 for Pomona College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Pomona College require SAT or ACT scores?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Pomona College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Pomona College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1220–1410 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and 1490–1560 at Pomona College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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