California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona holds a 6-point ROI advantage over University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, scoring 89/100 versus 83/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona comes in at $11,531 per year (net price after aid) versus $15,300 at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus - a difference of $3,769 annually, or roughly $15,076 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates earn a median of $71,902 compared to $63,126 at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus. The payback period is 5 years at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona versus 7.2 years at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus.
Graduates leave California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a median $16,000 in debt versus $20,654 at University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.37 and 0.42 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California State Polytech... | University of Oklahoma-No... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $7,780 | $9,797 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $20,380 | $27,377 |
| Net Price (avg) | $11,531 | $15,300 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $46,124 | $61,200 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,900 | $48,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $71,902 | $63,126 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.4% | 75.3% |
| Payback Period | 5 yr | 7.2 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $16,000 | $20,654 |
| Monthly Payment | $170 | $219 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.37 | 0.42 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 81.7% | 80.0% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 77.0% | 74.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 75.2% | 76.6% |
| Enrollment | 25,042 | 22,734 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California State Pol... | University of Oklaho... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,851 | $10,509 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,433 | $10,602 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,734 | $14,536 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $13,894 | $19,342 |
| $110,001+ | $20,716 | $20,986 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California State Pol... | University of Oklaho... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $103,494 | $110,853 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $106,171 | $89,714 |
| Computer Engineering | $100,673 | $105,525 |
| Electrical Engineering | $103,924 | $91,833 |
| Chemical Engineering | $102,849 | $94,291 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $99,148 | $91,653 |
| Industrial Engineering | $95,835 | $98,394 |
| Civil Engineering | $97,790 | $85,332 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,954 | $88,953 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $73,305 | $85,207 |
| Architecture | $76,969 | $70,383 |
| Economics | $61,084 | $76,123 |
| Mathematics | $63,059 | $76,026 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $53,024 | $71,589 |
| Chemistry | $70,741 | $31,419 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California State Pol... | University of Oklaho... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 87 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 93 | 82 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 90 | 84 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 75 | 86 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 75 | 71 |
| Overall ROI Score | 89 | 83 |
The Verdict
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona has a meaningfully higher ROI score (89 vs 83). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.