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California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs University of California-San Diego

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a public university in Pomona, CA. University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA. University of California-San Diego admits about 27% of applicants and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona about 75%, making University of California-San Diego the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $11,531 a year at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona after aid, and about $12,470 at University of California-San Diego. About 87% of students graduate at University of California-San Diego, compared with 68% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-San Diego alumni earn a median of about $84,943, against $71,902 for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Pomona, CA
La Jolla, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
25,042
34,948
Acceptance rate
75%
27%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–3.91
3.46–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1010–1250
1270–1480
ACT (middle 50%)
19–27
28–34
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$11,531
$12,470
Full cost / yr
$23,955
$38,701
In-state tuition
$7,780
$16,758
Out-of-state tuition
$20,380
$50,958
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,851
$7,525
$30k - $48k
$8,433
$8,155
$48k - $75k
$10,734
$9,942
$75k - $110k
$13,894
$15,199
Over $110k
$20,716
$28,785
Outcomes
Graduation rate
68%
87%
Freshman retention
87%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$54,466
$65,669
Median earnings (10 yr)
$71,902
$84,943
Median debt at graduation
$16,000
$15,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
46%
34%
First-generation students
49%
40%
International students
1%
11%
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-San Diego harder to get into?
University of California-San Diego is harder to get into. It admits about 27% 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-San Diego?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,531 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $12,470 at University of California-San Diego. 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-San Diego?
Before aid, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona costs about $23,955 a year and University of California-San Diego about $38,701. 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-San Diego?
University of California-San Diego. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,525 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-San Diego?
University of California-San Diego is the larger of the two, with about 34,948 undergraduates against 25,042 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.
Does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-San Diego have a better graduation rate?
University of California-San Diego has the higher graduation rate, at about 87% against 68% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.
Do graduates of California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-San Diego earn more?
University of California-San Diego alumni earn more on average: a median of about $84,943 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-San Diego 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-San Diego 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-San Diego look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1010–1250 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and 1270–1480 at University of California-San Diego. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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