Cal Poly Pomona
55%
Acceptance rate
~4%
Intl. students
$18,000
Tuition/yr
28,000
Enrollment
About Cal Poly Pomona
Public polytechnic in Los Angeles area, CA. Top engineering and agriculture programs with strong industry partnerships.
Cal Poly Pomona (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) is a public polytechnic university in the California State University system, located in Pomona in Los Angeles County. Founded in 1938, it enrolls approximately 27,600 students across nine academic colleges and is known for its hands-on, "learn by doing" teaching philosophy.
The university's College of Engineering ranks ninth in the nation among undergraduate engineering programs at schools that do not grant doctoral degrees, according to U.S. News 2026. Computer science, civil, electrical, and aerospace engineering are particularly strong, and the Collins College of Hospitality Management is ranked among the top ten hospitality schools in the world by CEOWORLD. Business administration and computer science are among the most popular undergraduate majors.
The campus spans roughly 1,400 acres in the Pomona Valley, about 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, giving students access to one of the largest metropolitan job markets in the United States. Cal Poly Pomona is consistently recognized for diversity and economic mobility, ranking first among polytechnic universities for social mobility by multiple outlets including the Wall Street Journal 2025.
World University Rankings
Campus & Location
CA
Suburban
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
All graduates qualify for 12-month OPT. STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total work authorisation.
For Nepali students
- Cal Poly Pomona's engineering and computer science programs are designated STEM degrees under the DHS list, making graduates eligible for up to 3 years of OPT work authorization in the US, a significant advantage for Nepali students seeking post-study employment before pursuing an H-1B.
- Annual international undergraduate tuition and fees for 2025-26 are approximately $21,468, which is substantially lower than most private US universities and many flagship state schools, making it a comparatively affordable option in California for Nepali families.
- The university's strong industry ties to the Los Angeles tech, engineering, and hospitality sectors give international students access to internships and employer networks across Southern California, which can be critical for building a US career path from a Nepali background.
- With roughly 1,000 international students on campus and an International Center offering dedicated advising and orientation, there is structured support for newcomers, though Nepali students should note the international community is relatively small compared to larger research universities.
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
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