California State Polytechnic University Review

California State Polytechnic University, which is located in Pomona, California, is often referred to as Cal Poly Pomona. The university has 48 academic divisions that offer more than 60 majors. The most popular majors for undergraduates are electrical, electronics and communications engineering; business administration; and liberal arts and sciences.

California State Polytechnic University Overview

At California State Polytechnic University, one of only seven polytechnic universities in the U.S., a learn-by-doing approach to learning is used whenever possible. This approach includes service learning programs, internships and research participation. A large number of honors has come the university's way, including the Cal Poly Pomona College of Business's accreditation by the renowned Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB); worldwide, only 500 institutions have that distinction. The Princeton Review named California State Polytechnic University one of the 'Best of the West'.

Almost one-third of all students are Asian American; Hispanic Americans follow with 28% and Caucasian Americans comprise 24% of the student population. The university accepts Advanced Placements credits.

Admissions and Enrollment Overview

California State Polytechnic University is listed by the California State University System as one of its top five (out of 23) universities with the toughest admission standards; about 53% of freshman applicants are accepted. High school subjects required for admission, with a 'C' or better, are three years of math, four of English, one of biological science and one of physical science. The university also requires two years of social science, two years of a foreign language (or demonstrated equivalent proficiency), one year of visual and performing arts and one year of an elective chosen from any of the above subjects.

Students must send in their application at least ten months before the semester in which they plan to enroll. Online applications are available. Different guidelines are available online for transfer students, graduate students, freshman applicants and international students.

Campus Learning Environment and Facilities

There are 280 clubs and organizations available to students. There is no obligation for students to own or lease a computer; the campus has almost 2,000 computers available. The majority of classes have 20-39 students; only one percent of classes have over 100 students. The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:25.

The University Library at Cal Poly Pomona began with a few hundred books in one room with one librarian; today, it is housed in a 6-story building with almost two and a half million items and 75 staff members. Among those millions of items are 760,000 books, 13,000 maps and a million and a half microforms; there are subscriptions to 3,000 hard copy periodicals and 2,800 journals and databases online.

California State Polytechnic University Colleges

  • College of Business Administration
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences
  • The Collins College of Hospitality Management
  • College of the Extended University
  • College of Science
  • College of Environmental Design
  • College of Education and Integrative Studies
  • College of Agriculture

School Contact Information

  • Address: 3801 W. Temple Ave., Pomona, CA 91768
  • Telephone: (909) 869-7659