California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, known as Cal Poly Pomona, is a public polytechnic in the eastern suburbs of Los Angeles. It is best known for engineering, computer science, business, hospitality, agriculture and architecture, taught through a learn-by-doing approach with strong graduate earnings and low tuition. Choose it for an affordable Los Angeles-area engineering or business degree.
Pomona, United States
Official website: calpoly.edu
#1401
Top 5 public (U.S. News)
Among the top US universities for graduate earnings relative to cost
Around 27,000 students
$20,000 – $26,000
International students, non-resident undergraduate and master's rates
$18,000 – $22,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on calpoly.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Electrical Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MBA (College of Business Administration)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Mechanical Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Hospitality Management (Collins College)
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
College of Engineering — one of the largest engineering colleges in California by enrolment.
Collins College of Hospitality Management — a top-ranked hospitality school near Disneyland and Los Angeles's hotels.
Learn by doing — project-based teaching on a former Kellogg Arabian horse ranch.
Value — high graduate earnings relative to some of the lowest fees in the region.
Graduates join Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Disney, Southern California Edison, Amazon and Los Angeles's tech firms.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Engineering bachelor's graduates report median starting salaries around USD 75,000-85,000.
Hospitality alumni move into hotel, resort and theme park management across California.
Undergrad
30 Nov 2026
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The 1,400-acre campus sits on a former ranch in the hills of Pomona, with the Bronco Student Center and University Library at its core, the engineering and business buildings nearby and residence halls on the north side.
Pomona is a suburb 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles with rent below the city and the coast, and mountains, beaches and Disneyland within an hour. Most students drive or use the Metrolink train to Los Angeles.
Form I-20 issued by Cal Poly Pomona
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Undergraduate applications for fall 2027 go through Cal State Apply between 1 October and 30 November 2026, with no late applications accepted for most majors. Graduate deadlines are set by each programme, with most engineering and computing master's closing between 1 March and 1 June for fall.
Undergraduates start in the fall (late August), as spring admission is closed for most majors. Computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and the MBA admit for both fall and spring, while business analytics is fall only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. The International Center issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, electrical engineering, the MBA, business analytics and mechanical engineering attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree in a related field with a GPA of at least 3.0, TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5; the GRE and GMAT are optional for most programmes. Undergraduate admission is based on grades under CSU eligibility rules.
Cal Poly Pomona offers limited merit scholarships to international students through its online scholarship application after admission; need-based aid is not available, though tuition is low for the Los Angeles area. Graduate students can apply for teaching assistantships and grant-funded research roles in engineering and computer science.
