Cal Poly Pomona vs United States Air Force Academy
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) are two distinct institutions of higher learning that offer unique educational experiences. Cal Poly Pomona, a public polytechnic university, is known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and business, while USAFA, a military academy, emphasizes leadership, aeronautics, and military science. With acceptance rates of 53% and 13%, respectively, these institutions cater to different applicant pools. Cal Poly Pomona's diverse student body comprises 24,000 undergraduates, while USAFA's tightly-knit community consists of approximately 4,000 cadets. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Cal Poly Pomona at 68% and USAFA at 88%. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including popular majors, tuition costs, and financial aid opportunities, to determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations
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![]() California State Polytechnic University-Pomona |
![]() United States Air Force Academy |
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Overview |
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Location | Pomona, California | USAF Academy, Colorado |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 88.0% | 93.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 60.6% | 12.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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SAT range | N/A | 1208 - 1490 |
ACT range | N/A | 29 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 35.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 41,226 | 11,687 |
Total number of admissions given out | 24,993 | 1,453 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,463 | 1,091 |
Yield rate | 13.9% | 75.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$25,835
Out of state:
$37,715
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Average net price | $12,942 | |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,980
Meal plan:
$5,590
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
76.0%
Average amount $9,025 |
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Students receiving federal student loan |
17.0%
Average amount $4,805 |
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Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $12,608 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
26,974
Men 53.5% Women 46.5% |
4,181
Men 71.4% Women 28.6% |
Graduate students |
2,482
Men 47.3% Women 52.7% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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N/A |
Out-of-state students | 0.8% | N/A |
International students | 4.6% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 4,128 | 4,200 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Oregon Guam Hawaii | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 28:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 70.2% | 86.1% |
Dropout rate | 23.1% | 13.9% |
Transferred out | 1.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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N/A |
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