Cal Poly Pomona combines broad educational access with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As a top-ranked Mobility Engine institution, the university produces $15,228 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels well below peer institutions, supporting long-term financial stability.
With strong tier performance, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With strong tier performance, reflecting controlled costs and manageable debt levels
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert broad access into strong earnings growth
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert broad access into strong earnings growth
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop-ranked Mobility Engine university
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ranks #11 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with mobility performance at the 99.7th percentile—among the highest we track. Located in Pomona, California, this large public university maintains moderately selective admission with a 73.7% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
Cal Poly Pomona enrolls 46.0% Pell-eligible students and 49.3% first-generation students, demonstrating strong commitment to educational access. The institution serves 40.5% transfer students, reflecting its role in the California higher education pipeline.
Graduates earn $15,228 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 91.2nd percentile nationally with top-tier performance. Median earnings reach $71,902 ten years after enrollment, placing Cal Poly Pomona in the 88th percentile for long-term earnings.
This combination of accessible admissions, exceptional access for underserved populations, and strong economic outcomes positions California State Polytechnic University-Pomona as a Mobility Engine, converting educational opportunity into sustained economic advancement.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona delivers strong earnings outcomes while maintaining exceptional affordability and access. Graduates earn a median of $71,902 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 88th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $45,083 at the 25th percentile to $100,593 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across engineering, business, and other disciplines. The institution generates $15,228 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 91.2nd percentile nationally with top-tier performance on this critical measure.
Students seeking strong STEM outcomes at a large public university with excellent access for first-generation and lower-income students. Well-suited for those prioritizing engineering, computer science, and business programs with demonstrated economic mobility.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's Mobility Engine designation reflects exceptional outcomes for diverse student populations.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the California State Polytechnic University-Pomona hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/analysis.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona admits 73.7% of applicants, making admission accessible for most qualified candidates. This acceptance rate means roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission, positioning Cal Poly Pomona as moderately selective within the 50-75% acceptance range.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that Cal Poly Pomona maintains slightly higher selectivity standards than typical institutions of similar size and mission, though the difference is modest at 4.4 percentage points. This level of selectivity allows qualified students reasonable confidence in admission while maintaining academic standards that support strong post-graduation outcomes.
The institution serves as an accessible pathway to quality higher education, particularly for students seeking STEM and business programs with proven career results. For prospective students, this admission rate suggests building a balanced college list should include Cal Poly Pomona as a target school rather than a reach, assuming competitive academic preparation.
Students should focus on demonstrating genuine interest in the institution's hands-on, career-focused programs when crafting their applications, as fit with the polytechnic mission may influence admission decisions beyond pure academic metrics.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona maintains strong affordability as a public institution, with a published cost of attendance of $22,672 per year. This includes $7,439 in in-state tuition, $16,330 for room and board, and $995 for books and supplies.
Out-of-state students face tuition of $19,319, though most enrolled students are California residents. The average student pays just $11,580 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,092 from the sticker price.
This net price of $11,580 compares favorably to the peer median of $15,590, providing a $4,010 advantage over similar institutions. The substantial financial aid savings reflect California's commitment to college affordability through state grant programs, institutional aid, and federal support.
Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $7,599 for families earning under $30,000 to $20,829 for those earning over $110,000. This progressive pricing structure ensures that lower-income families face the most affordable costs while maintaining access across income levels.
Cal Poly Pomona's affordability ranking at the 88.9th percentile with strong tier performance reflects the institution's effectiveness in controlling costs while maintaining program quality.
Cal Poly Pomona graduates demonstrate strong earnings growth over time with outcomes based on substantial cohort sizes. Median earnings rise from $54,466 six years after enrollment to $64,008 at eight years and $71,902 at ten years, representing 32.0% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from 5,163 graduates in the ten-year cohort, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $15,228 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing California State Polytechnic University-Pomona in the 91.2nd percentile for earnings uplift with top-tier performance.
Low-income graduates earn $57,300, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for underserved populations. The earnings distribution spans from $45,083 at the 25th percentile to $100,593 at the 75th percentile, reflecting program diversity and varied career trajectories.
Approximately 23.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.
31 graduates
Computer Science.
238 graduates
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General.
103 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
225 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
105 graduates
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for analysis. Computer Science ranks #77 nationally and #20 in California, producing 238 graduates with median earnings of $92,118 and a value score of 58.5.
Business Administration and Management ranks #29 nationally and #8 in California, graduating 1,401 students with median earnings of $62,832 and an exceptional value score of 91.7. Civil Engineering ranks #14 nationally and #11 in California, with 235 graduates earning $84,701 and a value score of 92.1.
Mechanical Engineering ranks #17 nationally and #10 in California, graduating 225 students with median earnings of $90,872 and a value score of 92.8. Aerospace Engineering ranks #12 nationally and #5 in California, with 103 graduates earning $91,245.
The institution's largest program, Business Administration, represents 24.7% of all graduates, reflecting both student demand and the program's strong employment outcomes across multiple industries.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The University Of Texas At Austin Similar quality tier (#11 ranked) | TX | 29% | $75,121 | #11 | Compare |
Florida International University Similar quality tier (#9 ranked) | FL | 59% | $60,249 | #9 | Compare |
California State University-Los Angeles Similar quality tier in West (#12 ranked) | CA | 92% | $59,211 | #12 | Compare |
University Of California-Los Angeles Similar quality tier in West (#8 ranked) | CA | 9% | $82,511 | #8 | Compare |
California State University-Long Beach Similar quality tier in West (#7 ranked) | CA | 47% | $64,403 | #7 | Compare |
