California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs University of California-Riverside
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a public university in Pomona, CA, and University of California-Riverside is a public university in Riverside, CA. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is the more selective of the two, admitting about 75% of applicants against 76% at University of California-Riverside. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $11,531 a year against $14,304 at University of California-Riverside. About 76% of students graduate at University of California-Riverside, compared with 68% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Ten years after enrolling, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona alumni earn a median of about $71,902, against $67,699 for University of California-Riverside.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quiz
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Pomona, CA
Riverside, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
25,042
22,593
Acceptance rate
75%
76%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–3.91
3.41–3.91
SAT (middle 50%)
1010–1250
1080–1280
ACT (middle 50%)
19–27
22–31
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$11,531
$14,304
Full cost / yr
$23,955
$38,942
In-state tuition
$7,780
$15,606
Out-of-state tuition
$20,380
$49,806
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,851
$8,852
$30k - $48k
$8,433
$9,840
$48k - $75k
$10,734
$13,111
$75k - $110k
$13,894
$16,571
Over $110k
$20,716
$30,393
Outcomes
Graduation rate
68%
76%
Freshman retention
87%
88%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$54,466
$48,593
Median earnings (10 yr)
$71,902
$67,699
Median debt at graduation
$16,000
$17,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
46%
47%
First-generation students
49%
48%
International students
1%
4%
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.
- Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-Riverside harder to get into?
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is harder to get into. It admits about 75% of applicants, compared with 76% at University of California-Riverside. 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-Riverside?
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,531 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $14,304 at University of California-Riverside. 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-Riverside?
- Before aid, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona costs about $23,955 a year and University of California-Riverside about $38,942. 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-Riverside?
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,851 there, against about $8,852 at University of California-Riverside. 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-Riverside?
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is the larger of the two, with about 25,042 undergraduates against 22,593 at University of California-Riverside.
- Does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-Riverside have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Riverside has the higher graduation rate, at about 76% against 68% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.
- Do graduates of California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-Riverside earn more?
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona alumni earn more on average: a median of about $71,902 ten years after enrolling, against about $67,699 for University of California-Riverside. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and University of California-Riverside 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-Riverside 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-Riverside look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1010–1250 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and 1080–1280 at University of California-Riverside. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs University of California-Los AngelesCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs University of California-BerkeleyUniversity of California-Riverside vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-Riverside vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-Riverside vs University of California-Berkeley
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.
1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school