Students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona achieve substantially higher earnings than similar students at other institutions, reflecting the university's exceptional ability to translate education into economic success.
Graduates consistently outperform national expectations across all income levels, making Cal Poly Pomona one of the most effective public universities for long-term financial outcomes.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona delivers exceptional value as one of the top-performing public universities in the nation for long-term student outcomes. Azimuth ranks Cal Poly Pomona in the 87th percentile nationally, reflecting its rare combination of broad access and strong financial returns. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants and about 49% are first-generation college students, yet graduates consistently achieve earnings that place the university among the highest-performing institutions nationwide.
What sets Cal Poly Pomona apart is its polytechnic focus on applied learning and career preparation. Graduates earn a median of $71,902 ten years after enrollment, with many programs leading directly into California's thriving technology, engineering, and business sectors. The university's hands-on approach, combined with its location in the greater Los Angeles area, creates strong employer connections and internship opportunities that translate into meaningful career advantages.
As a large public polytechnic university, Cal Poly Pomona offers the scale and resources of a major institution while maintaining its distinctive focus on practical, career-oriented education. For students who want to combine affordability with strong earning potential, particularly in STEM and business fields, Cal Poly Pomona represents one of California's most reliable pathways to economic success.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's program portfolio reflects its polytechnic mission, with strong outcomes across business, engineering, and applied technology fields. Business Administration stands out as both the largest program and a key economic driver, graduating 1,401 students annually with solid median earnings of $43,757. This combination of scale and outcomes creates substantial aggregate value and demonstrates the program's effectiveness in preparing students for California's diverse business landscape.
Engineering and technical programs deliver some of the university's highest individual returns. Construction Engineering Technology graduates earn around $77,329 ten years out, reflecting strong demand for skilled professionals in California's construction and infrastructure sectors. Even innovative programs like Brewery Operations Management, which graduated 304 students, show the university's ability to identify emerging industry needs and create pathways to stable careers with median earnings of $38,356.
The university's hands-on approach and industry partnerships create particularly strong outcomes in applied fields. Programs consistently prepare students for immediate workforce entry while providing the foundation for long-term career growth. This practical focus, combined with Cal Poly Pomona's location in the greater Los Angeles area, ensures graduates have access to diverse employment opportunities and can leverage their education into sustained earning advantages throughout their careers.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $71,902, placing the university in the 87th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. What makes these outcomes particularly impressive is that Cal Poly Pomona graduates earn about $15,229 more than similar students at other institutions, reflecting one of the strongest earnings advantages among public universities nationwide.
The university's polytechnic focus drives much of this success through programs that align directly with high-demand careers. Business Administration leads in total economic impact, graduating 1,401 students annually with median earnings of $43,757, creating substantial aggregate value. Construction Engineering Technology delivers some of the highest individual returns, with graduates earning around $77,329 ten years out. Even programs like Brewery Operations Management, which reflects Cal Poly Pomona's innovative approach to emerging industries, produce solid outcomes with graduates earning $38,356 early in their careers.
The university's location in Southern California enhances these outcomes significantly. Graduates enter one of the nation's largest and most diverse job markets, with particular strength in technology, aerospace, entertainment, and advanced manufacturing sectors that value Cal Poly Pomona's hands-on educational approach and strong industry partnerships.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona offers strong affordability across all income levels, making quality education accessible to a diverse student body. Low-income students pay an average net price of just $7,599 annually, well below national averages and reflecting the university's commitment to supporting Pell-eligible families. Middle-income families see annual costs around $11,196, while even higher-income students pay $20,829, which remains competitive for a California public university of this caliber.
Debt levels remain manageable relative to the strong earnings outcomes graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt is about $16,000, and Parent PLUS borrowing averages $15,000 for families who choose this option. With median graduate earnings approaching $72,000 ten years out, most borrowers can handle standard repayment comfortably. The university also maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations and transition into stable careers that support loan repayment.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
