California State Polytechnic University-Pomona: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Pomona, California · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026
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California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a public university in Pomona, California that admits about 74% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $11,531 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Civil Engineering, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 68% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 74%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $11,531 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
55% of enrolled students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona weight in admissions?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
SAT and ACT scores California State Polytechnic University-Pomona typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
How much does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,780 for in-state students and $20,380 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,682 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $11,531 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 46% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $6,838 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $20,968 |
| Room and board | $16,909 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $11,531 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
| Regular deadline | 12/2 |
Will my child graduate from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
These predict outcomes at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
The most popular undergraduate programs at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Civil Engineering. Across all programs, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona confers roughly 3,425 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $72,509 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1,561 | $72,509 |
| Psychology, General | 361 | $51,985 |
| Civil Engineering | 277 | $99,934 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 276 | $101,659 |
| Sociology | 253 | $57,178 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 252 | $49,890 |
| Biology, General | 243 | $61,718 |
| Computer Science | 202 | $107,324 |
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), California State Polytechnic University-Pomona disclosed 67 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 1 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
About 25% of undergraduates at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 2% of men join a fraternity and 1% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- California State University-Los Angeles91% acceptance
- California State University-Fresno95% acceptance
- California State University-Sacramento94% acceptance
- Claremont McKenna College10% acceptance
- Harvey Mudd College13% acceptance
- Pomona College7% acceptance
- Pitzer College25% acceptance
- Scripps College38% acceptance
Next steps for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Common questions parents ask about California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
What GPA do I need for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
55% of enrolled students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.7, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona typically admit?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona after grants and scholarships is $11,531 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,780 and $20,380 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona realistic for my child?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona admits 74% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $11,531 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona accepts about 74% of applicants out of roughly 48,258 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona test-optional?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
About 68% of students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduate within six years. 89% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does California State Polytechnic University-Pomona look for in applicants?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona a public or private school, and where is it located?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California.
What are the most popular majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
The largest undergraduate majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Civil Engineering. The school awards about 3,425 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona safe? What is its campus crime rate?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona reported 67 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
At California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, 25% of undergraduates live on campus, 2% of men are in fraternities, 1% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers