Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks California State Polytechnic University-Pomona #14 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $71,138, placing California State Polytechnic University-Pomona in the 73.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Civil Engineering #5 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions — a program-level strength that anchors California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's earnings profile and reflects the institution's applied, career-oriented focus. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona sits in the 93.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates who earn about $15,963 more than similar students at comparable institutions. Azimuth ranks California State Polytechnic University-Pomona #338 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a combination of strong median earnings, a business- and STEM-oriented program mix, and public-university pricing that keeps costs in check relative to graduate outcomes.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona prices its education accessibly across the income spectrum, reflecting its public mission and broad financial-aid reach. Low-income families pay approximately $7,851 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $10,734, and higher-income families pay correspondingly more at roughly $20,716. Azimuth ranks California State Polytechnic University-Pomona #107 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between published cost of attendance and what families actually pay can be substantial; the net price illusion is worth understanding before comparing sticker prices across institutions. Cal Poly Pomona participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and work-study, per the financial aid page. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships administers both need-based and merit-based awards, and work-study positions are available as part of standard aid packages for qualifying students. Families apply using the FAFSA, and California residents may also qualify for Cal Grant funding, which can meaningfully reduce net price for lower- and middle-income households. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $16,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $71,138, median federal debt of $16,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $181 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a strong fit for students drawn to business, engineering, and applied professional fields who want a public polytechnic university experience in Southern California with a clear path to solid post-graduation earnings. The earnings case is straightforward: graduates earn median $71,138 four years after enrollment, placing California State Polytechnic University-Pomona in the 73.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn about $15,963 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 93.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The access and aid picture is notable. 46.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 49.3% are first-generation college students — a profile that reflects Cal Poly Pomona's role as a broad-access institution in the Inland Empire — and 71.6% of Pell-eligible students complete their degrees, a meaningful indicator of how well the university supports students who need it most. Low-income graduates sit in the 85.7 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical ten-year Scorecard measure, suggesting the institution delivers durable financial outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Fit depends on two realistic filters: Cal Poly Pomona's program portfolio is concentrated in Business and applied STEM fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, while those seeking a broad liberal-arts or research-intensive environment may find a better match elsewhere. The admit rate of 75.2% makes the university moderately accessible, and median student debt at graduation of $16,000 is a concrete number families should weigh against the earnings trajectory before enrolling.
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
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the California State Polytechnic University-Pomona hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Azimuth ranks California State Polytechnic University-Pomona #14 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona enrolls roughly 25,042 undergraduates. Retention stands at 87.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 68.4%, figures that reflect steady degree completion across a large, mixed enrollment. The composite is shaped by strong mobility and access results. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona sits in the 99.1 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, driven by outcomes for a student population where 46.3% receive Pell Grants and 49.3% are first-generation college students. The university admits about 75.2% of applicants, maintaining broad access while channeling graduates — particularly those from low-income backgrounds — into careers that deliver measurable upward movement. Business anchors the program mix, and graduates earn about $15,963 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing California State Polytechnic University-Pomona in the 93.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Return on investment sits in the 77.2 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, while affordability lands in the 92.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions and access in the 95.1 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. The balance across all four pillars — strong mobility and access paired with solid return and affordability — is what positions California State Polytechnic University-Pomona near the top of Azimuth's composite view of ROI nationally.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona prices its education accessibly across the income spectrum, reflecting its public mission and broad financial-aid reach. Low-income families pay approximately $7,851 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $10,734, and higher-income families pay correspondingly more at roughly $20,716.
Azimuth ranks California State Polytechnic University-Pomona #107 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between published cost of attendance and what families actually pay can be substantial; the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) is worth understanding before comparing sticker prices across institutions.
Cal Poly Pomona participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and work-study, per the financial aid page. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships administers both need-based and merit-based awards, and work-study positions are available as part of standard aid packages for qualifying students.
Families apply using the FAFSA, and California residents may also qualify for Cal Grant funding, which can meaningfully reduce net price for lower- and middle-income households. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $16,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $71,138, median federal debt of $16,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $181 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of California State Polytechnic University-Pomona earn median earnings of $71,138 four years after enrollment, placing California State Polytechnic University-Pomona in the 73.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure sits above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn about $15,963 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 93.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks California State Polytechnic University-Pomona #338 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The university's degree output leans toward applied and professional fields, with Business accounting for 28% of graduates and Engineering representing 17% — a combination that channels graduates into career-ready roles shortly after commencement. Business Administration stands out for combining large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a central contributor to the institution's overall earnings profile.
Among the highest-earning programs, Azimuth ranks Business Administration #40 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/), with 1,561 graduates earning median earnings of $70,954 four years after enrollment. The Psychology, General program graduates 361 students and earns median earnings of $49,747, while The Civil Engineering program graduates 277 students with median earnings of $97,790.
Social Sciences rounds out 9% of degrees, adding breadth to a portfolio anchored by business and engineering disciplines.
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
163 graduates
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
55 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
108 graduates
Computer Science
202 graduates
Chemical Engineering
91 graduates
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's program mix is anchored in Business, which accounts for 28% of graduates, followed by Engineering at 17% and Social Sciences at 9%. The combination of applied business, engineering, and technical fields reflects the university's polytechnic identity — a portfolio oriented toward direct workforce entry rather than graduate-school-dependent pathways.
Business Administration is the largest program with 1,561 graduates, followed by Psychology, General (361 graduates), Civil Engineering (277 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (276 graduates), and Sociology (253 graduates). Across 53 programs serving roughly 6,363 students annually, 46 meet Azimuth's [ranking threshold](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
The strongest earnings come from engineering and technical fields. Azimuth ranks Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering #9 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 163 graduates earning $106,171.
Azimuth ranks Computer Science #95 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning $103,494, and Azimuth ranks Mechanical Engineering #23 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning $99,148. Business Administration combines strong enrollment scale with solid pay, making it a key driver of the institution's overall earnings profile.
The Technology and Operations Management department maintains the SCOT Lab, per the department's research page, adding applied research infrastructure to the business curriculum. Most of California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's high-earning programs — including Civil Engineering ($97,790) and Business Administration ($70,954) — are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and four-year earnings reflect actual labor-market outcomes rather than undercounting from graduate school deferrals.
This pattern aligns with the polytechnic model: hands-on, career-oriented preparation in fields where employer demand remains strong. The [supply-demand map](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with national wage trends. ```
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Illinois Chicago Similar quality tier (#11 ranked) | IL | 77% | $68,740 | #11 | Compare |
California State University-Los Angeles Similar quality tier in West (#9 ranked) | CA | 91% | $59,211 | #9 | Compare |
California State University-Long Beach Similar quality tier in West (#12 ranked) | CA | 46% | $64,403 | #12 | Compare |
California State University-Fullerton Similar quality tier in West (#13 ranked) | CA | 91% | $62,951 | #13 | Compare |
University Of California-Davis Similar quality tier in West (#14 ranked) | CA | 42% | $80,838 | #14 | Compare |
