Differences between California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.

WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Pomona and Santa Cruz. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is in a Mountain and UC Santa Cruz is in a Mountain - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools

Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?

If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.

Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.

You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.