Cal Poly Pomona vs. Cal State Fullerton: A Data-Driven Comparison
Admission Difficulty: Cal Poly Pomona is more selective with a 55.4% acceptance rate compared to Cal State Fullerton's 66.7%. Both schools maintain strong retention rates, with Pomona slightly ahead at 88.1% versus Fullerton's 85.0%.
Cost and Value: Fullerton offers better financial value with an average net price of $5,646 compared to Pomona's $11,580. Both charge similar tuition ($7,073 at Fullerton vs. $7,439 at Pomona), but Fullerton provides more generous financial aid. Graduates from both schools carry manageable debt loads of $13,750 and $16,000 respectively.
Academic Strengths: Cal Poly Pomona emphasizes hands-on learning in engineering, agriculture, and applied sciences. Fullerton excels in business, communications, and education. Both maintain reasonable class sizes with student-faculty ratios of 23:1 (Pomona) and 22:1 (Fullerton).
Campus Experience: Pomona's smaller enrollment (24,271) creates a more intimate environment compared to Fullerton's larger student body (36,956). Fullerton competes in NCAA Division I athletics while Pomona participates in Division II.
Outcomes: Cal Poly Pomona delivers superior career outcomes with median earnings of $71,902 ten years post-graduation, significantly higher than Fullerton's $62,951. However, Fullerton edges out Pomona in graduation rates at 69.2% versus 66.7%.
Students seeking technical education with strong earning potential should consider Cal Poly Pomona, while those wanting affordable education with diverse academic options and big-school athletics should explore Cal State Fullerton.
Admission Difficulty: Cal Poly Pomona is more selective with a 55.4% acceptance rate compared to Cal State Fullerton's 66.7%. Both schools maintain strong retention rates, with Pomona slightly ahead at 88.1% versus Fullerton's 85.0%.
Cost and Value: Fullerton offers better financial value with an average net price of $5,646 compared to Pomona's $11,580. Both charge similar tuition ($7,073 at Fullerton vs. $7,439 at Pomona), but Fullerton provides more generous financial aid. Graduates from both schools carry manageable debt loads of $13,750 and $16,000 respectively.
Academic Strengths: Cal Poly Pomona emphasizes hands-on learning in engineering, agriculture, and applied sciences. Fullerton excels in business, communications, and education. Both maintain reasonable class sizes with student-faculty ratios of 23:1 (Pomona) and 22:1 (Fullerton).
Campus Experience: Pomona's smaller enrollment (24,271) creates a more intimate environment compared to Fullerton's larger student body (36,956). Fullerton competes in NCAA Division I athletics while Pomona participates in Division II.
Outcomes: Cal Poly Pomona delivers superior career outcomes with median earnings of $71,902 ten years post-graduation, significantly higher than Fullerton's $62,951. However, Fullerton edges out Pomona in graduation rates at 69.2% versus 66.7%.
Students seeking technical education with strong earning potential should consider Cal Poly Pomona, while those wanting affordable education with diverse academic options and big-school athletics should explore Cal State Fullerton.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | California State University-Fullerton | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 55.4% | 66.7% |
| Enrollment | 24,271 | 36,956 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,439 | $7,073 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,319 | $18,953 |
| Net Price | $11,580 | $5,646 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 66.7% | 69.2% |
| Retention Rate | 88.1% | 85.0% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $71,902 | $62,951 |
| Median Debt | $16,000 | $13,750 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | California State University-Fullerton | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | $77,329 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $86,042 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $69,930 | Computer Science. | $67,101 |
| Manufacturing Engineering. | $69,338 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $65,610 |
| Chemical Engineering. | $68,305 | Mechanical Engineering. | $62,792 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $67,918 | Civil Engineering. | $60,117 |