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Rank: 15

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

One of two polytechnical universities in California, Cal Poly Pomona has strong programs in engineering and business, as well as renowned programs in hospitality management, agriculture, and apparel merchandising and management. It was first designated a National Center of Academic Excellence by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency in 2005, and continues to carry that honor. The university's graduation rate of 71% is nearly 35% higher than expected based on schools with comparable student demographics, according to Money's analysis. Recent graduates report an average early career income of $55,500, according to PayScale, which also is higher than expected. Cal Poly Pomona's learn-by-doing approach provides a wealth of internships and research positions, but it also yields some unexpected opportunities. An on-campus brewery teaches students craft beer-making using barley and oranges grown on campus. And every year for the past seven decades, students have joined their peers from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to build a float for the Tournament of Roses parade. In fact, Cal Poly Pomona recently broke ground on a 14,000-square-foot float lab and design complex that is expected to become operational by 2021.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
FALL 2020 PLAN: Cal Poly Pomona will offer a largely virtual fall semester.
costs
Est. Full Price 2020-2021
$29,800
% of students who get any grants
68%
Est. price for students who receive aid
$13,300
Average price for low-income students
$9,900
admissions
Acceptance rate
55%
Median SAT/ACT Score
1140/23
SAT/ACT Required for Fall 2021?
no
Enrollment
24,840
Financial Aid
% of students with need who get grants
80%
% of need met
56%
% of students who get merit* grants
N/A
Average merit grant
$2,200
student success
Graduation rate
71%
Average time to a degree
4.9 years
Average student debt
$17,790
Average salary within 5 years
$55,500
% earning more than $28,000
81%
key deadlines
Early decision application
N/A
Regular application
Nov 30

* Share of full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants.

* Full price of attendance includes on-campus room & board fees, which may not be applicable to all colleges' reopening plans this year.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson's, PayScale.com, Money/American Institutes for Research calculations, Opportunity Insights.

coronavirus update

FALL 2020 PLAN: Cal Poly Pomona will offer a largely virtual fall semester.

* Share of full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants.

* Full price of attendance includes on-campus room & board fees, which may not be applicable to all colleges' reopening plans this year.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson's, PayScale.com, Money/American Institutes for Research calculations, Opportunity Insights.

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