Overview of California State Polytechnic University Pomona

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, is a public institution with an acceptance rate of 55%. Cal Poly Pomona’s 1,438-acre campus is located in Los Angeles. The institution is one of the 23 universities in the California State University system, and it ranks as one of the nation’s best undergraduate engineering universities. Cal Poly Pomona is comprised of eight academic colleges with business and engineering being the most popular programs among undergraduates. Cal Poly Pomona’s curriculum is based on a learn by doing philosophy, and the institution emphasizes problem-solving, student research, internships, and service-learning. With over 280 organizations and clubs, students at Cal Poly Pomona are engaged in campus life.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 26,443 (24,933 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 53 percent male/47 percent female
• 88 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $7,353 (in-state); $19,233 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,800
• Room and Board: $17,358
• Other Expenses: $2,604
• Total Cost: $29,115 (in-state); $40,995 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 79 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 72 percent
  • Loans: 32 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $8,469
  • Loans: $6,468

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business Administration and Management, General; Hospitality Administration/Management, General; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies; and Mechanical Engineering

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 87 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 2 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 21 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 71 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Track and Field, Volleyball

The Broncos play at the NCAA Division II level in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Overview of California State Polytechnic University Pomona Admissions

Cal Poly Pomona accepts over half of applicants and has a somewhat selective admissions process. The admission process is not holistic. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Applicants don’t need to send essays or recommendation letters. Instead, admissions are decided by test scores and GPA. This institution wants to see outstanding grades in the most rigorous classes possible; Advanced Placement, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes— the more challenging your high school courses were, the better. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Cal Poly Pomona had an acceptance rate of 55%.  for every 100 students who submitted applications, 55 students gained admission, making Cal Poly Pomona’s admissions process somewhat competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Cal Poly Pomona requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 91% of admitted students provided SAT scores.

The admissions data collected by the College Board tells us that Cal Poly Pomona’s admitted students scored in the top 35% on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Cal Poly Pomona scored between 510 and 620 on the reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 510, and 25% scored over 620. 50% of students who gained admission scored 510 and 640 on the math section, while 25% scored below 510, and 25% scored over 640. Students with a cumulative SAT score of 1260 or higher will have competitive chances at Cal Poly Pomona.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Cal Poly Pomona requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 25% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

Cal Poly Pomona’s admitted students scored in the top 45% on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Cal Poly Pomona received a cumulative ACT score between 20 and 27, while 25% scored over 27, and 25% scored below 20.

GPA

The average high school GPA for Cal Poly Pomona freshman was 3.49 in 2019. Successful applicants have B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Cal Poly Pomona, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Cal Poly Pomona is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

East Carolina University, Texas State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Georgia State University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, University of Texas at El Paso, California State University Northridge

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Cal Poly Pomona, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Ohio University, University of Alabama, University of Texas at Arlington, Pace University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Florida Gulf Coast University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Cal Poly Pomona. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Drexel University, University of Cincinnati, Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy, Hofstra University, Temple University, Seton Hall University

Applying to Cal Poly Pomona

Application Deadline: November 30

Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://www.cpp.edu/admissions/

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://www2.calstate.edu/apply

Graduate Admissions Website: https://www.cpp.edu/admissions/graduate/masters-explore.shtml

Graduate Application Link(s): https://www.cpp.edu/admissions/graduate/apply.shtml