California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, California · Public · 75.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 89/100 · Strong Value
Cal Poly Pomona scores 89 (Strong Value), one of the stronger scores among California State University campuses, driven by an earnings premium subscore of 97 and a 5-year payback period. Median 6-year earnings of $42,900 are solid for a campus with in-state tuition of $7,780 and net price of $11,531. The 68.4% completion rate is adequate but not exceptional -- roughly 1 in 3 students does not finish within 6 years. Business Administration is the largest program at 1,523 graduates, and engineering disciplines dominate the top earnings tiers. With 46.3% of students on Pell grants, CPP serves a significant working-class and first-generation population from the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,780/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,380/yr |
| Average net price | $11,531/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $46,124 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $71,902 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $16,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $170 |
| Estimated payback period | 5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 68.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 25,042 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is $7,780/year ($20,380/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $11,531/year, or roughly $46,124 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,851/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,716/year.
The median graduate leaves with $16,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $170 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $71,902 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.37 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,851 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,433 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,734 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,894 |
| $110,001+ | $20,716 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The lowest income bracket (0-$30,000) pays $7,851 per year at CPP -- an affordable entry point for low-income students from the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley. With a 5-year payback period at median earnings, Pell-eligible completers who enter engineering or business programs face a genuinely strong financial return. The 68.4% completion rate is the main risk: students who leave without a degree carry cost without the credential.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families in the $48,001-75,000 range pay $10,734, and the $75,001-110,000 band pays $13,894. At these price points, the 5-year payback on median earnings is still highly favorable. Middle-income families choosing CPP over more expensive private alternatives are making a sound financial decision, particularly for engineering and business students.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $20,716 per year, or about $83,000 over four years. At a 5-year payback, the full-price case at CPP is still good by California private university standards. Engineering graduates at this cost level are among the best ROI outcomes in the state. Liberal arts and design programs are less compelling at full pay but still cheaper than most private alternatives.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,954 | B+ |
| Psychology | $49,747 | C+ |
| Civil Engineering | $97,790 | A |
| Computer Science | $103,494 | B+ |
| Sociology | $52,694 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $99,148 | A |
| Biology | $61,688 | C+ |
| Hospitality Administration | $57,114 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,278 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $53,024 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering is CPP's highest-volume technical program at 304 graduates -- a remarkable output for an undergraduate program -- with year-one earnings of $75,758 and year-four of $97,790. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.218 (ROI grade A) reflects median debt of $16,500 against earnings that top $75k immediately. Southern California's construction and infrastructure boom directly absorbs CPP civil engineers; the employment pipeline from campus to Caltrans, LADWP, and private firms is well-established.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering graduates 216 students with $75,040 year-one earnings and $99,148 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.233 (ROI grade A) confirms this is one of the best ROI programs on campus. The Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley host major aerospace and manufacturing employers -- Northrop Grumman, Boeing, SpaceX contractors -- who recruit heavily from CPP. Year-four earnings near $99k reflect mid-career mechanical engineering salaries in the Los Angeles metro.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration dominates the campus at 1,523 graduates, making it one of the largest undergraduate business programs in the Cal State system. Year-one earnings of $46,581 and year-four of $70,954 are solid for a regional public institution. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.339 (ROI grade B+) reflects median debt of $15,808, which is manageable. Business graduates from CPP enter the Los Angeles and Inland Empire markets in finance, operations, supply chain, and entrepreneurship.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 360 students with year-one earnings of $26,845 -- the third largest program on campus with the weakest near-term earnings among high-volume majors. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.484 (ROI grade C+) reflects median debt of $13,000 against modest early earnings. Year-four earnings of $49,747 suggest a portion of psychology graduates move into social services, management, or graduate-school-dependent careers. At $11,531 net price, the low cost partially offsets the weak near-term return.
Design and Applied Arts
Design and Applied Arts graduates 116 students with year-one earnings of $30,065 and year-four of $55,744, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.704 (ROI grade D) is a warning flag. Median debt of $21,160 against $30k year-one earnings creates real financial stress for recent graduates. The program likely captures students headed into UX design, graphic design, and product design in the LA creative economy, but the early career period is financially difficult even at CPP's low net price.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 77.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 81.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 77.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 79.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 75.2% |
| Enrollment | 25,042 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 46.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,943 |
At 75.2% admission, CPP accepts the substantial majority of applicants, consistent with the broader Cal State system. No test score data is reported, reflecting Cal State's test-optional policies. The school is accessible to most applicants with a complete application; the practical challenge is completing the degree, given the 68.4% completion rate.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
CPP's peers include Cal Poly SLO, California State University-Bakersfield, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Oklahoma-Norman, and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. CPP's ROI score of 89 is strong relative to the Cal State system and competitive with mid-tier research universities. Cal Poly SLO (the sister polytechnic) likely scores higher on earnings given its reputation premium in tech and engineering, but CPP's lower net price partially closes that gap for in-state students.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (this school) | 89 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | 88 | $16,778 | $69,020 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | 85 | $10,974 | $68,740 |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | 83 | $15,300 | $63,126 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
Who Thrives Here
Cal Poly Pomona admits 75.2% of applicants, making it accessible rather than selective. No SAT/ACT data is reported for the current cohort. The polytechnic model means the curriculum leans heavily toward applied technical and professional programs rather than traditional liberal arts. Students who fit best here are goal-oriented learners who want direct pathways to engineering, architecture, hospitality, business, or agricultural careers. Students seeking a research university experience or strong humanities programs will find a thinner selection.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $11,531 per year ($46,124 over four years), graduates earn a median of $71,902 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 68.4% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $16,000 is very manageable against $71,902 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.