Public
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Pomona, California
73.7% Acceptance Rate
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
73.7%Acceptance Rate
3.69Avg GPA
1130Avg SAT
$22,672Annual Cost
$71,902Grad Salary
46%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
73.7%
Avg GPA
3.69
Avg SAT
1130
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1090–1160
Avg Net Price
$11,580
Need-Based Aid
46% receive Pell
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), established in 1938, is a top public polytechnic known for engineering, agriculture, and architecture. Ranked for ROI and innovation.
The campus includes an Arabian horse center, design studios, and engineering labs. Its Learn by Doing philosophy and Southern California location enhance career prospects.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Acceptance Rate
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 73.7% each year.
What California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 73.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.69 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.49 – 3.68
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.24
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is December 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 110 days left — Freshman/Transfer (Fall)
Freshman/Transfer (Fall)
December 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 2, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is 3.69. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.39 and 3.69? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.89–4.09.California State Polytechnic University-Pomona GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.69 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.49 – 3.68
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.29 – 3.48
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.28
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Admission decisions are based on self-reported application data; official transcripts requested only after provisional admission.
- Impacted majors (e.g., Sociology, Accounting, Physics, Kinesiology-General) require a higher admission standard than general CSU eligibility.
- Alternate major consideration only applies if space remains after primary-major admits are seated.
- $70 non-refundable application fee (or fee waiver); deadlines vary by impacted vs. non-impacted program cycle.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Without SAT or ACT?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Average SAT Score: 1130
The average SAT score of admitted students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is 1130 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1130 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1160 SAT) to stand out. Below average? California State Polytechnic University-Pomona allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1090, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1130 | 1090 | 1160 |
Below 1090, you're behind most admitted students; at 1160 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Check your major's impaction status before applying
CPP is impacted campus-wide and for specific majors (Sociology, Accounting, Physics, Kinesiology-General) - impacted majors face a higher bar based on space, not just minimums.
List an alternate major strategically on Cal State Apply
CPP only considers you for your alternate major if capacity remains beyond primary-major admits - choose it deliberately, not as an afterthought.
Report your information with total accuracy
CPP decides admission from self-reported data; official transcripts are requested only after provisional admission, so errors here carry real risk.
Emphasize hands-on, applied experience
CPP's polytechnic identity rewards demonstrated project work, internships, or research interest specifically, more than generic extracurricular lists.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes assume meeting the general CSU eligibility index guarantees admission to their chosen major at CPP - for impacted majors, meeting the minimum only makes you eligible for review, not admitted, since space is competitive beyond the baseline.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Profile
Full Name
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
City
Pomona
State
California
ZIP Code
91768
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Degree Worth It?
Whether California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $68,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.31%.
How much does a degree from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Cost?
The sticker price is $22,672/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $11,580.
46% of students receive a Pell Grant and 25.3% take federal loans at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. File your FAFSA early and list California State Polytechnic University-Pomona as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $71,902. That's about 77% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Admissions
Median graduate earnings at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona run about $71,902 a year.
At about $22,672 a year, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is on the more affordable end.
About 46.0% receive a Pell Grant at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 73.7%, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona average a 3.69 GPA.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.39 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.29, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona — aim above 1130, ideally within the 1090–1160 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is December 1.
The application fee is 70. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is March 2, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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