California State Polytechnic University, Pomona facts for kids

For the liberal arts college in Claremont, California, see Pomona College.

Quick facts for kids
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Former name	California Polytechnic School Vorhees Unit (1938-1956) California Polytechnic School Kellogg-Vorhees Unit (1956-1966) California State Polytechnic College, Kellogg-Voorhees (1966-1972)
Motto	Discere Faciendo (Latin)
Motto in English	"Learn by Doing"
Type	Public polytechnic university
Established	1938; 87 years ago (1938)
Parent institution	California State University
Accreditation	WSCUC
Academic affiliations	Space-grant
Endowment	$166.5 million (2022)
President	Soraya M. Coley
Provost	Terri Gomez
Academic staff	1,330 (Fall 2017)
Students	29,704 (Fall 2020)
Undergraduates	27,909 (Fall 2020)
Postgraduates	1,795 (Fall 2020)
Location	Pomona , California , United States 34°03′23″N 117°49′18″W / 34.05639°N 117.82167°W / 34.05639; -117.82167
Campus	Large suburb, 1,438 acres (582 ha)
Newspaper	The Poly Post
Colors	Blue, green, and gold
Nickname	Broncos
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division II – CCAA
Mascot	Billy Bronco

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, often called Cal Poly Pomona or CPP, is a large public university in Pomona, California. It is known for its "Learn by Doing" approach to education. This means students get lots of hands-on experience.

Cal Poly Pomona is one of the biggest polytechnic universities in the California State University system. Polytechnic universities focus on teaching technical skills and applied sciences.

The university started in 1938. It was first a southern campus of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. It grew when it gained land from Will Keith Kellogg, who founded Kellogg's cereals. The two Cal Poly campuses became separate universities in 1966.

Today, Cal Poly Pomona offers many different degrees. You can study for a bachelor's degree in 94 subjects and a master's degree in 39 subjects. It also offers teaching credentials and one doctorate program.

The sports teams are called the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos. They play in NCAA Division II. The Broncos have won 14 national championships! Some former Cal Poly Pomona athletes have even won Olympic medals.

History of Cal Poly Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona is on the land that used to be the Arabian horse ranch of cereal maker W.K. Kellogg.

The story of Cal Poly Pomona began in 1938. A school called the Voorhis School for Boys, located in San Dimas, California, was given to the California Polytechnic School. This school was in San Luis Obispo, California.

The Voorhis School was a private school. It taught elementary subjects to boys who didn't have much money. It also taught them job skills. The school faced money problems during the Great Depression. So, its founders gave control to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

The Voorhis School became the Cal Poly-Voorhis Unit. It started offering college-level classes. The horticulture (gardening and plant science) program moved to this new campus.

An aerial view of the campus.

During World War II, many students joined the military. The campus closed in 1943. It reopened after the war. In 1956, the campus moved to Will Keith Kellogg's old horse ranch in Pomona, California.

The school then changed its name to Cal Poly Kellogg-Voorhis Unit. It offered six programs in agriculture. In 1957, the first class graduated from the new Pomona campus. That same year, the College of Engineering was started.

In 1961, the two Cal Poly campuses joined the new California State College system. For the first time, 329 female students were admitted to Cal Poly Kellogg-Voorhis Unit. In 1966, the two Cal Poly campuses became separate universities. They still work together on the annual Cal Poly Universities Rose Float.

In 1966, the school changed its name again to "California State Polytechnic College, Kellogg-Voorhis." It became the 16th campus in the California State College system. On June 1, 1972, it officially became California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

In 1998, the university planned to give an honorary degree to a leader from Zimbabwe. However, due to public concerns about his actions, the university decided not to give him the award.

Cal Poly Pomona continued to grow. New buildings were built, and programs like the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies and the International Polytechnic High School were added. The university also started a big fundraising effort to help support its programs.

Why the Name "Cal Poly"?

The university has two official names: "California State Polytechnic University, Pomona" and "Cal Poly Pomona." Sometimes people just say "Cal Poly." However, the university prefers "Cal Poly Pomona" to avoid confusion with California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Both schools were once part of the same institution.

The word "polytechnic" comes from Greek words meaning "many arts" or "many skills." So, a polytechnic university teaches many technical skills and applied sciences. This fits Cal Poly Pomona's "learn by doing" approach.

Old Seals and Logos

An old seal used when the University of California managed the campus (1932–1943).
An old seal used by the university from the mid-1980s to 2018.

Campus Life and Facilities

Cal Poly Pomona is in Pomona, California, a city near Los Angeles. The campus is very large, covering about 1,725 acres (698 ha). This makes it the second largest campus in the California State University system.

The campus has a mix of old and new buildings. Some buildings, like the Kellogg Horse Stables and Kellogg House, were built in the 1920s. They have a Spanish colonial style. Newer buildings include modern dorms and science facilities.

Old horse stables on campus.

Fun places on campus include a beautiful rose garden and the Kellogg House. There is also a Japanese garden that was built in 2003. At the center of campus, you'll find the Collins College of Hospitality Management and Kellogg West, which is a hotel and conference center.

The Voorhis Ecological Reserve is a wildlife area on campus. It helps protect local plants and animals. Cal Poly Pomona also has the International Polytechnic High School on its campus.

The letters "CPP" made of concrete are on Colt Hill, overlooking the campus. The "CP" was added in 1959, and the second "P" was added in 2004. This helps tell it apart from the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo.

From 1993 to 2022, a unique building called the CLA Building was a symbol of the university. It had a very modern, triangular shape. This building was even used in movies like Gattaca. However, it was taken down in 2022 because of safety concerns related to earthquakes.

Cal Poly Pomona's new South Campus.

Learning and Research Areas

The W. K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center is an important part of the campus. It continues Will Keith Kellogg's tradition of raising purebred Arabian horses. The Horse Stables also have a library focused on horses.

Cal Poly Pomona's Voorhis Ecological Reserve.

The Innovation Village is a special area on campus. It's a partnership between the university and businesses. Companies like the American Red Cross and NASA have offices there. It helps create jobs and brings economic benefits to the area.

Green Campus and Getting Around

The main quad at Cal Poly Pomona.

Cal Poly Pomona is working to be a very green campus. It wants to reduce carbon emissions and save energy. The university is part of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. This means it aims to use more renewable energy.

The Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies is a special place on campus. It researches sustainable technology and farming. It has solar-powered dorms and organic gardens. It even became the first carbon-neutral facility in the California State University system in 2010. The campus also has a rainforest greenhouse and other natural areas for learning.

Students and staff can use the free "Bronco Express" shuttle system to get around campus. There are also shuttles that connect the campus to Metrolink train stations. Public buses also serve the campus.

How the University Works

College Founding Years
College	Year Started

Agriculture	1938
Business Administration	1968
Education and Integrative Studies	1973
Engineering	1957
Environmental Design	1970
Hospitality Management (Collins)	1973
Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Science

Cal Poly Pomona is part of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system. A group called the board of trustees manages the CSU system. They decide on courses, campus plans, and money matters. The current leader of the CSU system is Chancellor Mildred García.

The main leader of Cal Poly Pomona is President Soraya M. Coley.

University Funding

Cal Poly Pomona has an endowment (money saved for the future) of about $166.5 million. The university has received large donations to support its programs. For example, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation gave a $42 million grant to help more students from diverse backgrounds get an education. In 2021, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave a huge $40 million gift to the university.

Academics and Learning

The main entrance of the Cal Poly Pomona University Library.

Cal Poly Pomona is known for its "learn by doing" philosophy. This means students learn by actually doing things, not just reading about them. This hands-on approach helps students get real-world experience. It prepares them for jobs after graduation.

The university is also recognized as a "Center of Academic Excellence" by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency (NSA). Many students get to do internships and senior research projects.

The Cal Poly Pomona University Library is a big resource for students. It has 2.4 million items and is a key place for research. The library was updated in 2008 to be even better.

What Makes Cal Poly Pomona Special?

Cal Poly Pomona's College of Engineering is one of the largest in the CSU system. It has many students studying Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, and Construction Engineering. It's also the only CSU campus to offer an Engineering Technology focus.

The university's Business Administration program is also very large. Its Hospitality program is one of the biggest in the U.S.

University Rankings

U.S. university rankings

Forbes	142

U.S. News & World Report often ranks Cal Poly Pomona highly. In 2023, it was ranked 3rd among public universities in the Western United States that offer master's degrees. It was also ranked 4th for being a "Most Innovative School."

The College of Engineering is also highly ranked. In 2023, it was 9th among undergraduate engineering schools in the U.S. that don't offer doctorates. Specific programs like Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering are also ranked very high.

Money Magazine ranked Cal Poly Pomona 15th in the country in 2020 for its value. This means students get a great education for their money.

Becoming a Student

New Freshman Statistics (Fall 2011-2022)

	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011
Applicants	49,721	41,226	38,026	39,726	36,660	34,919	32,917	33,857	32,801	31,465	28,143	23,946
Admitted	27,439	25,105	24,689	21,687	20,340	19,225	19,474	13,307	17,014	16,636	14,685	13,191
% Admitted	55.2	60.9	64.9	54.6	55.5	55.1	59.2	39.3	51.9	52.9	52.2	55.1
Enrollment	3,655	3,463	4,323	3,694	3,863	3,786	4,204	2,707	3,658	3,257	3,120	3,249
Average GPA (out of 4.0)	3.78	3.69	3.57	3.55	3.51	3.49	3.52	3.50	3.42	3.43	3.41	3.32
75th percentile composite SAT (out of 1600)			1240	1260	1260	1240	1160	1102	1068	1059	1071	1057
25th percentile composite SAT (out of 1600)			1010	1020	1020	1010	900	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
75th percentile composite ACT (out of 36)			27	27	27	27	27	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
25th percentile composite ACT (out of 36)			19	19	19	20	20	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Cal Poly Pomona is a selective school. This means it has higher admission standards for new students. For Fall 2016, about half of the students who applied were admitted. The average GPA for new students was around 3.45.

Student Diversity

Undergraduate Demographics (Fall 2020)
Race and ethnicity	Total
Hispanic	49%	49
Asian	22%	22
White	14%	14
Other	6%	6
International	5%	5
Black	3%	3
Economic diversity
Low-income	46%	46
Affluent	54%	54

Cal Poly Pomona is a very diverse university. It has students from many different backgrounds and cultures. The university calls itself "Champions of Diversity."

Popular Majors

Some academic programs at Cal Poly Pomona are very popular. This means more students apply than the university can accept. These "impacted" programs include many engineering fields, Architecture, Psychology, and Biology. Students applying to these programs need to meet higher standards.

Student Life at Cal Poly Pomona

Student suites at Cal Poly Pomona.

Aliso Residence Hall.

Where Students Live

Cal Poly Pomona has housing for over 3,500 students. About 39% of new students and 10% of all students live on campus.

There are different types of housing. The older buildings are called Traditional Halls. Newer options include the University Village and the Suites, which offer apartment-style living.

Cal Poly's Bronco Recreation and Intramural Complex (BRIC).

To help students succeed, new freshmen from outside the local area are often asked to live on campus. This helps them get used to college life.

New residential halls called Sicomoro and Secoya opened in 2020. They can house 980 first-year students. A new dining hall, Centerpointe Dining Commons, also opened.

Students on a walkway leading to the former CLA Building.

Bronco Student Center

The Bronco Student Center.

The Bronco Student Center is a busy place on campus. It's where students meet, eat, relax, and shop. Student government offices and other student-run groups are located here.

LGBT-Friendly Campus

Cal Poly Pomona is known as a welcoming campus for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students. It offers special housing options and a pride center for LGBT students. There are also clubs for LGBT students, faculty, and staff.

Campus News and Media

Students can stay updated on campus events through the Poly Post newspaper. The Bronco Sports Show is a TV broadcast about sports. PolyCentric is the university's online magazine, sharing news and stories about the campus.

Bronco Pep Band

The Bronco Pep Band is a student-run band. They play at athletic events to cheer on the school's teams. The band is open to all students and is completely voluntary.

Greek Life

Cal Poly Pomona has many fraternities and sororities. These are social organizations that students can join. There are 16 fraternities and 11 sororities on campus.

Rose Parade Float

Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo have worked together on the Tournament of Roses parade since 1949. Their floats have won many awards. This tradition is special because students design and build the floats themselves. It shows the partnership between the two Cal Poly campuses.

Athletics: Go Broncos!

Voorhis Vikings (Old Teams)

Before the university moved to Pomona, its athletic teams were called the "Voorhis Vikings." These teams were mostly made up of boys from the Voorhis School. Today, the university's teams are known as the Broncos.

Cal Poly Pomona Broncos

Cal Poly Pomona's sports teams are the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos. They compete in NCAA Division II. The Broncos have 10 sports teams for men and women.

The men's basketball team won a national championship in 2010. The Broncos are very successful in their conference, the CCAA. They have won 60 CCAA championships and 14 NCAA National Championships. Individual athletes have also won championships in women's tennis.

Here are some of the national championships won by the Broncos teams: