Cal Poly Pomona vs California State University-San Bernardino (CSUSB)

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) and California State University-San Bernardino (CSUSB) are two distinct universities within the California State University system, each offering unique educational experiences. Cal Poly Pomona boasts a higher acceptance rate (73%) compared to CSUSB (64%), making it slightly easier to gain admission. While both universities offer a diverse range of majors, Cal Poly Pomona excels in engineering, agriculture, and business, while CSUSB is known for its strong programs in social sciences, education, and nursing. Cal Poly Pomona's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of Hispanic and Asian students, while CSUSB has a larger African American student population. In terms of graduation rates, Cal Poly Pomona has a slight edge, with 63% of its students completing their degrees within six years, compared to 59% at CSUSB. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best

	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona	California State University-San Bernardino
Overview
Location	Pomona, California	San Bernardino, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	88.0%	78.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	60.6%	91.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	41,226	13,057
Total number of admissions given out	24,993	11,878
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,463	2,001
Yield rate	13.9%	16.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $25,835 Out of state: $37,715	In state: $28,409 Out of state: $40,289
Average net price	$12,942	$3,254
Tuition	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,980 Meal plan: $5,590	Room/dormitory: $7,644 Meal plan: $3,000
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	76.0% Average amount $9,025	87.0% Average amount $10,157
Students receiving federal student loan	17.0% Average amount $4,805	12.0% Average amount $4,553
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $12,608	1.0% Average amount $8,949

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	26,974 Men 53.5% Women 46.5%	16,858 Men 37.6% Women 62.4%
Graduate students	2,482 Men 47.3% Women 52.7%	2,656 Men 32.9% Women 67.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	0.8%	0.6%
International students	4.6%	5.4%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	4,128	1,482
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Oregon Guam Hawaii	California Arizona Hawaii Minnesota

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Social Sciences Computer and Information Science Architecture	Public Administration and Social Service Liberal Arts Health Professions Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Education
Students to faculty ratio	28:1	25:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	70.2%	57.0%
Dropout rate	23.1%	36.1%
Transferred out	1.7%	1.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $85,357 Year 3: $96,966 Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,286 Year 2: $77,329 Year 3: $89,517 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,891 Year 2: $72,650 Year 3: $86,380 Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $82,880 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,110 Year 2: $69,930 Year 3: $81,209 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,168 Year 2: $67,918 Year 3: $79,792 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,611 Year 2: $63,501 Year 3: $76,900 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,217 Year 2: $64,394 Year 3: $76,474 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,215 Year 2: $68,305 Year 3: $76,397 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,663 Year 2: $64,087 Year 3: $76,106	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,025 Year 2: $88,739 Year 3: $91,007 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,100 Year 2: $86,356 Year 3: $89,781 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,052 Year 2: $72,214 Year 3: $79,205 Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,968 Year 2: $65,066 Year 3: $71,975 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,962 Year 2: $64,358 Year 3: $68,388 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,267 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $66,764 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,496 Year 2: $52,524 Year 3: $66,429 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,356 Year 2: $56,867 Year 3: $64,336 Social Work (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,681 Year 2: $58,503 Year 3: $63,478 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,337 Year 2: $46,966 Year 3: $58,366

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino?

Cal Poly Pomona emphasizes a 'learn-by-doing' approach with a strong focus on polytechnic disciplines like engineering, architecture, and agriculture. Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) offers a broader range of programs, including a well-regarded business school and strong liberal arts offerings. Cal Poly Pomona is generally considered more competitive to get into, particularly for its engineering and architecture programs. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, offering a different environment compared to Cal Poly Pomona's location in Pomona.
Which university is better for engineering programs?

Cal Poly Pomona is generally considered superior for engineering programs. Its 'learn-by-doing' philosophy, hands-on labs, and industry connections provide excellent preparation for engineering careers. While CSUSB offers engineering programs, Cal Poly Pomona has a stronger reputation and more specialized resources in this field.
Which university is better for business programs?

Cal State San Bernardino's Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration is highly regarded and often cited as a strength of the university. While Cal Poly Pomona also offers business programs, CSUSB's business school has a stronger regional reputation and may offer more specialized programs and resources in certain business areas.
How do the campuses compare?

Cal Poly Pomona has a larger, more spread-out campus with a distinct polytechnic feel, featuring labs, workshops, and agricultural areas. Cal State San Bernardino has a more traditional campus layout with a focus on academic buildings and student life areas. The surrounding environments also differ; Pomona is a larger city within Los Angeles County, while San Bernardino is a more suburban environment.
What is the typical student life like at each university?

Cal Poly Pomona's student life is heavily influenced by its polytechnic focus, with many students involved in engineering clubs, design teams, and hands-on projects. Cal State San Bernardino offers a more diverse range of student activities, including a strong Greek life presence, various clubs and organizations, and a focus on community engagement. Both universities offer on-campus housing and a variety of student support services.
Which university is more difficult to get into?

Cal Poly Pomona is generally more competitive to get into, especially for its popular engineering and architecture programs. Admission requirements tend to be higher, and the acceptance rate is typically lower than Cal State San Bernardino's. However, admission standards can vary depending on the specific program you're applying to.
How do the costs of attending Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino compare?

Tuition and fees are generally similar for both Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino, as they are both part of the California State University system. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors such as housing, meal plans, and personal expenses. Living in Pomona (Los Angeles County) might be slightly more expensive than living in San Bernardino.
Which university is better for students interested in agriculture?

Cal Poly Pomona has a strong agricultural program with extensive facilities, including farms, greenhouses, and animal units. Its 'learn-by-doing' approach is particularly well-suited for agricultural studies. While CSUSB may offer some related courses, Cal Poly Pomona is the clear choice for students specifically interested in agriculture.
What are the career prospects like after graduating from each university?

Both Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino graduates have good career prospects, particularly within California. Cal Poly Pomona graduates are highly sought after in engineering, architecture, and related fields due to the university's strong industry connections and hands-on training. Cal State San Bernardino graduates find success in a variety of fields, including business, education, and public service, benefiting from the university's strong regional reputation and career services.
Does one school have a better location than the other?

The 'better' location depends on your preferences. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, which is part of Los Angeles County, offering access to a wider range of cultural and entertainment opportunities. Cal State San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, which is a more suburban environment with a lower cost of living. Consider which environment better suits your lifestyle and academic needs.

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