What is Cal Poly Pomona (cpp.edu)?

Cal Poly Pomona (cpp.edu) is a public university in Southern California that describes itself as the "#1 polytechnic university for diversity and economic mobility." It offers both undergraduate and graduate programs across agriculture, business, design, education, engineering, hospitality, science, and humanities/social sciences/performing arts. Its defining feature is a "Learn by Doing" / "Become by Doing" approach: hands-on, practical learning intended to make graduates career-ready.

What kind of school is it?

Cal Poly Pomona presents itself as a polytechnic university — a model that emphasizes applied, technical, and professional fields rather than a purely theoretical liberal arts focus. The site frames this around three ideas:

• The polytechnic experience — students "roll up their sleeves, dive in and hit the ground doing," putting learning to work in practical, hands-on ways.
• Economic mobility — the university positions itself as the #1 polytechnic for economic mobility, framing a degree as a path to a "brighter financial future."
• Belonging and a culture of care — a diverse, supportive community intended to help students navigate college, especially those who are not "following familiar footsteps."

What programs does it offer?

The site organizes academics into two main tracks and lists these program areas:

Both tracks link out to dedicated program pages, and there is an "Explore All" option for browsing the full catalog.

Who is it for?

Based on how the university describes itself, Cal Poly Pomona is aimed at students who:

• Want hands-on, applied learning rather than lecture-only instruction.
• Are looking for a career-oriented degree with a practical skill component.
• Value a diverse, supportive community and a campus culture oriented around care and mentorship.
• Are considering a Southern California location — the site highlights "a beautiful campus in sunny Southern California."

What outcomes does it highlight?

The site features alumni profiles to illustrate the "Become by Doing" idea, including:

• Johans Acosta — a steward for the AI age, whose sense of responsibility guides his tech work.
• Louie Ruiz — an attorney whose history degree helps him win cases.
• Lea Dominguez — an alumna motivated by motherhood and mentorship.

These are illustrative examples the university uses to show career paths, not a guarantee of outcomes for any individual student.

How to take the next step

If you're evaluating Cal Poly Pomona, the site's main entry points are:

1. Apply — the primary call to action ("Apply at Cal Poly Pomona").
2. Visit — campus visit information is offered.
3. Info — request information for prospective students.
4. MyCPP — the student portal for admitted and current students.

The site also segments its audience into future students, admitted students, current students, families, and faculty/staff, so you can navigate to the section that matches your situation.