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.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona enrolls a diverse student body that reflects California's demographics and the CSU system's access mission. The institution serves 46.0% Pell-eligible students, indicating that nearly half of enrolled students come from families with household incomes typically below $50,000. First-generation students comprise 49.3% of the student body, meaning that roughly half of Cal Poly Pomona students are the first in their families to attend college. Transfer students represent a substantial 40.5% of the student population, reflecting the institution's role in the California higher education pipeline and its commitment to providing pathways for community college graduates. This composition indicates that Cal Poly Pomona prioritizes educational access while maintaining academic standards that support strong post-graduation outcomes. The substantial transfer population suggests the institution effectively integrates students from various educational backgrounds into its programs. Students from diverse economic backgrounds should recognize that they will find peers who share similar experiences and challenges. The high first-generation share indicates strong institutional support systems for students navigating college as the first in their families. For prospective students, this demographic profile suggests an environment where economic diversity is normal and supported rather than exceptional.
While Cal Poly Pomona's 73.7% acceptance rate makes it accessible for most qualified students, those seeking additional options or different environments should consider these alternatives with comparable outcomes.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Students who enroll at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona demonstrate solid persistence and completion rates that exceed peer institutions. The retention rate reaches 88.1%, meaning 9 in 10 freshmen return for their sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.7%. This 4.4 percentage point advantage indicates that students generally find the academic environment and support services conducive to continued enrollment. The six-year graduation rate stands at 66.7%, which closely aligns with the peer median of 65.9%, indicating typical completion performance for institutions serving similar student populations. Notably, Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 71.6%, which exceeds the overall completion rate by 4.9 percentage points—a remarkable achievement that indicates strong institutional support for lower-income students. This positive Pell gap is unusual and suggests that Cal Poly Pomona's programs and support services particularly benefit students from lower-income backgrounds. The higher completion rate among Pell students may reflect the institution's hands-on, career-focused approach that provides clear pathways to employment and economic advancement. For prospective students, these metrics suggest that Cal Poly Pomona provides an environment where persistence and degree completion are achievable, particularly for students who engage with available support resources and remain focused on their academic and career goals.
Similar quality tier in West (#12 ranked)
Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools