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California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs University of California-Berkeley

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a public university in Pomona, CA, and University of California-Berkeley is a public university in Berkeley, CA. University of California-Berkeley is the more selective of the two, admitting about 11% of applicants against 75% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $11,531 a year against $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley. About 93% of students graduate at University of California-Berkeley, compared with 68% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Berkeley alumni earn a median of about $92,446, against $71,902 for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Pomona, CA
Berkeley, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
25,042
33,068
Acceptance rate
75%
11%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–3.91
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1010–1250
1310–1530
ACT (middle 50%)
19–27
30–35
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$11,531
$13,481
Full cost / yr
$23,955
$45,619
In-state tuition
$7,780
$16,347
Out-of-state tuition
$20,380
$50,547
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,851
$5,311
$30k - $48k
$8,433
$6,501
$48k - $75k
$10,734
$9,693
$75k - $110k
$13,894
$15,074
Over $110k
$20,716
$34,529
Outcomes
Graduation rate
68%
93%
Freshman retention
87%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$54,466
$74,919
Median earnings (10 yr)
$71,902
$92,446
Median debt at graduation
$16,000
$13,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
46%
29%
First-generation students
49%
35%
International students
1%
10%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Dec 1
Nov 30

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 State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-Berkeley harder to get into?
University of California-Berkeley is harder to get into. It admits about 11% of applicants, compared with 75% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. 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 State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-Berkeley?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,531 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley. 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 State Polytechnic University-Pomona and University of California-Berkeley?
Before aid, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona costs about $23,955 a year and University of California-Berkeley about $45,619. 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 State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-Berkeley?
University of California-Berkeley. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,311 there, against about $7,851 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-Berkeley?
University of California-Berkeley is the larger of the two, with about 33,068 undergraduates against 25,042 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.
Does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-Berkeley have a better graduation rate?
University of California-Berkeley has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 68% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.
Do graduates of California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-Berkeley earn more?
University of California-Berkeley alumni earn more on average: a median of about $92,446 ten years after enrolling, against about $71,902 for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and University of California-Berkeley require SAT or ACT scores?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of California-Berkeley is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and University of California-Berkeley look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1010–1250 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and 1310–1530 at University of California-Berkeley. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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