California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) is a public university located in Pomona, California, with an enrollment of approximately 25,042 students. The university admits a broad range of applicants — its 75.2% acceptance rate means that most people who apply are offered admission. Nearly half of enrolled students (46.3%) receive Pell Grants, indicating that a substantial share of the student body comes from lower- and middle-income backgrounds.

In-state tuition is $7,780 per year, and out-of-state tuition is $20,380 per year. These figures cover tuition alone; the average annual net price — which represents total cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, after grant and scholarship aid is applied — is $11,531. This figure can exceed published tuition because it accounts for the full cost of attending, not just what is charged for instruction.

Among programs relevant to career-focused study, Cal Poly Pomona offers preparation for fields such as urban planning. The university's structure as a polytechnic institution means that its curriculum generally emphasizes applied, hands-on learning alongside academic coursework.

Cal Poly Pomona has an 87.4% first-year retention rate, meaning the large majority of students return after their first year. The graduation rate is 68.4%. On borrowing, 24.6% of all enrolled students take out federal student loans — meaning the majority of students do not borrow federally. Among those who did borrow and completed a credential, the median federal loan debt is $16,000. Of borrowers entering repayment, 72.6% are actively reducing their loan balance within three years, suggesting most borrowers are managing repayment successfully.

Median earnings ten years after enrollment — measured across all federally-aided students who enrolled, including those who did not complete a degree — are $71,902. Because this figure includes non-completers as well as graduates, earnings for those who finish a credential may differ. Prospective students can use this figure as a broad reference point for outcomes associated with attendance at Cal Poly Pomona.