How many students applied to Cal Poly Pomona?

Cal Poly Pomona reported 48,258 first-time, first-year applicants in its 2025-2026 Common Data Set, including 45,487 in-state, 2,378 out-of-state and 393 international applicants.

How many students were admitted to Cal Poly Pomona?

Cal Poly Pomona reported 35,688 first-time, first-year admits in its 2025-2026 Common Data Set, including 33,895 in-state, 1,600 out-of-state and 193 international admits.

Does Cal Poly Pomona use SAT or ACT for admission?

No. Cal Poly Pomona and the California State University system no longer use SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admission decisions. Scores may still be submitted and may be used after admission for English and math placement.

Does Cal Poly Pomona require essays or recommendations?

No. Cal Poly Pomona's Common Data Set marks application essays and recommendations as not considered for first-year admission. Admission is mainly based on A-G coursework, GPA, CPP Index, major impaction, local preference and multifactor admission criteria.

Cal Poly Pomona Acceptance Rate 2026: GPA, SAT & Admissions Guide Cal Poly Pomona Acceptance Rate 2026: GPA, SAT & Admissions Guide

🐎 Cal Poly Pomona acceptance rate 2026 guide

Cal Poly Pomona Acceptance Rate 2026: About 74%, GPA, SAT, ACT & Admissions Guide

~74%

Direct answer: Cal Poly Pomona’s latest Common Data Set shows 35,688 admitted out of 48,258 first-time, first-year applicants, which is about a 74% acceptance rate. The real difficulty depends heavily on major choice, local preference and CPP’s Multifactor Admissions model.

Cal Poly Pomona is more accessible than Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, but it is still selective for impacted programs like engineering, computer science, architecture, biology, psychology and several animal science or science pathways.

This guide answers the main searcher questions fast: acceptance rate, GPA, SAT/ACT policy, A-G requirements, CPP Index, local area preference, impacted majors, waitlist data, Cal State Apply checklist, video help, FAQs and official CPP links.

📊 Acceptance rate 📚 GPA & SAT/ACT 🎯 Impacted majors ✅ Apply checklist

74% Latest admit-rate math

35,688 admits divided by 48,258 first-year applicants.

3.70 Average HS GPA

Average high school GPA of enrolled first-time, first-year students.

No SAT Not used for admission

CSU no longer uses SAT/ACT for undergraduate admission decisions.

1,152 Waitlist offers

596 accepted a waitlist spot; 58 were admitted from the waitlist.

Quick navigation for Cal Poly Pomona applicants

📊 Acceptance-rate answer 📚 GPA and SAT/ACT rules 📄 A-G requirements 🧮 CPP Index 🎯 Impacted majors 📍 Local preference ✅ Cal State Apply checklist ❓ 10 FAQs

Cal Poly Pomona acceptance rate 2026: the number applicants want

Acceptance-rate question	Answer	What it means
Cal Poly Pomona acceptance rate 2026	About 74% using 35,688 admits / 48,258 applicants.	CPP is moderately selective overall, but major choice can change difficulty.
In-state applicants	33,895 admits out of 45,487 applicants, about 74.5%.	California residents form most of the applicant pool.
Out-of-state applicants	1,600 admits out of 2,378 applicants, about 67.3%.	Non-California residents need a higher minimum GPA.
International applicants	193 admits out of 393 applicants, about 49.1%.	International applicants should pay close attention to documents and visa timing.
Enrolled students	4,004 first-year students enrolled.	Admission rate and enrollment yield are different numbers.
Waitlist outcome	58 students admitted from 596 who accepted a waitlist spot.	Waitlist admission is possible but not something to depend on.

Plain-English answer: Cal Poly Pomona’s overall acceptance rate is around 74%, but a student applying to Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering or Architecture should not read that number the same way as a student applying to a non-impacted local-area major.

Cal Poly Pomona GPA, SAT and ACT: what matters now?

GPA answer

Minimum: 2.50 A-G GPA for California residents; 3.00 A-G GPA for non-California residents.

Enrolled average: 3.70 high school GPA.

SAT/ACT answer

Not used for admission. CSU has eliminated SAT/ACT from undergraduate admission decisions.

Scores may still be used after admission for English and math placement.

Strong GPA profile

31.53% of enrolled first-year students had a 4.0 GPA, and 23.68% had a 3.75–3.99 GPA.

Borderline GPA profile

If your A-G GPA is near the minimum, local preference, major choice, math grades and MFA factors become more important.

Your GPA situation	How to read it	Best action
4.0 or higher	Strong compared with enrolled CPP GPA data.	Still check impaction and choose an alternate major.
3.75–3.99	Competitive for many programs.	Math GPA and major demand matter for STEM or impacted programs.
3.00–3.49	Possible, but not equally strong for every major.	Use local preference, alternate major and non-academic MFA factors wisely.
2.50–2.99 California resident	Meets minimum CSU GPA path but may be risky for impacted majors.	Consider non-impacted majors and verify CPP Index thresholds.
Below 2.50 CA / below 3.00 non-CA	Below normal minimum path.	Check whether any additional review category applies, but do not assume eligibility.

Do not prepare for SAT/ACT for admission: For CPP freshman admission, focus on A-G GPA, math coursework, local preference, impacted major rules and Cal State Apply accuracy.

Cal Poly Pomona A-G requirements: minimum coursework checklist

Cal Poly Pomona first checks CSU eligibility. Students must complete the 15 required A-G college preparatory courses with grades of C- or better.

A-G area	Course requirement	Common mistake
A: History / social science	2 years, including world/European history and U.S. history/government pattern.	Missing the U.S. history or government/civics portion.
B: English	4 years.	Assuming non-approved English support classes count automatically.
C: Mathematics	3 years required; 4 years recommended in the CDS.	Weak math record can hurt, especially for impacted STEM majors.
D: Laboratory science	2 years.	Not completing approved lab science courses.
E: Language other than English	2 years.	Taking split languages instead of a continued sequence.
F: Visual/performing arts	1 year.	Forgetting this category until senior year.
G: College prep elective	1 year.	Using a class that is not approved as an A-G elective.

Best move: Before worrying about the acceptance rate, confirm that every A-G area is complete and that your reported grades are accurate in Cal State Apply.

CPP Index and Multifactor Admission: how CPP really reviews applicants

CPP Index = (A-G GPA × 1000) + 450 + points from Cal Poly Pomona Multifactor Admission categories

CPP review factor	Why it matters	Applicant action
A-G GPA	The base CPP Index starts with your A-G GPA.	Report A-G courses accurately and improve senior-year readiness.
Math coursework	CPP considers math GPA and quantitative reasoning, especially for impacted STEM majors.	Take strong math courses and avoid grade drops in math.
Local area / military	Local area students and veterans can receive preference.	Check whether your high school is in CPP’s local area list.
First generation	Can be part of CPP’s multifactor model.	Answer Cal State Apply background questions accurately.
Work, leadership, service	Extracurriculars, volunteer work and work experience can be considered.	Do not leave activity sections empty if they apply to you.
Special circumstances	Foster youth, campus partnerships and educational programs may matter.	Report qualifying programs honestly and completely.

CDS review signal: CPP marks rigor of secondary school record and academic GPA as very important. Standardized test scores, essays and recommendations are not considered for admission.

Cal Poly Pomona impacted majors: where the acceptance rate gets harder

Program impaction means CPP has more eligible applicants than available space for a program. Impacted majors can require a higher CPP Index and stronger fit than the campus average.

Aerospace Engineering Architecture Biology Biotechnology Computer Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Psychology Kinesiology – General Animal Health Science Animal Science Pre-Veterinary Science Chemistry Environmental Biology Accounting

Non-impacted local major Local applicants who meet CSU minimum eligibility are admitted.

Impacted local major Local students receive preference, but admission is not automatic.

Non-local impacted major Higher CPP Index and major demand can make admission more competitive.

Alternate major warning: CPP says applicants may be admitted to an alternate major only if there is additional capacity. Add an alternate major, but do not assume it guarantees a backup admission.

Local area preference: one of the biggest CPP admission advantages

Applicant type	CPP local preference result	What to do
Local high school + non-impacted major	CPP says local applicants meeting minimum CSU eligibility will be admitted.	Confirm your school district is on the local area list.
Local high school + impacted major	Receives local preference in admission consideration.	Still build a strong CPP Index and consider alternate major.
Veteran / military applicant	CPP grants local preference to all veterans.	Report military status accurately in the application.
Non-local applicant	May need stronger CPP Index, especially for impacted programs.	Check major thresholds and do not treat CPP as automatic.

Applicant shortcut: For CPP, local area status can matter as much as the overall acceptance rate. A local non-impacted applicant and a non-local impacted applicant are not in the same situation.

Cal Poly Pomona admissions video guide

Use this video as a quick support resource, then return to the checklist below and fix the items that actually affect CPP admission.

After watching: write down your A-G GPA, intended major, whether that major is impacted, local area status, alternate major and any missing Cal State Apply information.

Cal State Apply checklist for Cal Poly Pomona applicants

Use a personal email CPP recommends an email address you can continue to access. School emails are not recommended.

Apply through Cal State Apply CPP freshman applications are submitted through Cal State Apply during the filing period.

Enter A-G coursework accurately CPP admission decisions rely on self-reported application information, so grade and course errors can cause problems later.

Choose major carefully Check whether your major is impacted. Engineering, computer science, architecture and other impacted programs may need stronger CPP Index performance.

Add an alternate major CPP encourages adding an alternate major, but alternate admission depends on available capacity.

Do not rely on SAT/ACT Scores are not used for admission decisions, so focus on GPA, A-G completion and MFA factors.

Check application status After applying, monitor CPP application status and respond quickly to any requested items.

Submit official transcripts if admitted Provisionally admitted students who intend to enroll must submit official transcripts when CPP requests them.

Which CPP applicants are strongest?

Strong local applicant

Local area high school, A-G complete, 2.50+ GPA, non-impacted major or strong CPP Index for impacted major.

Strong STEM applicant

Higher A-G GPA, strong math grades, completed science/math pattern, impacted-major awareness and realistic alternate major.

Risky applicant

Missing A-G courses, low GPA, non-local impacted major, no alternate major or inaccurate Cal State Apply self-reporting.

Waitlist applicant

Should accept the waitlist only if still interested, but should commit to another affordable option by the deadline because waitlist movement is limited.

Common mistakes that hurt Cal Poly Pomona applicants

Only reading the 74% rate: Impacted majors can be much harder than the campus average.
Confusing CPP with Cal Poly SLO: Pomona and San Luis Obispo have different selectivity and policies.
Preparing SAT/ACT for admission: CPP does not use scores for admission decisions.
Missing A-G requirements: All A-G areas must be completed with C- or better.
Not checking local area status: Local preference can change your admission picture.
Ignoring alternate major: Add one, but understand CPP admits to alternate only if capacity exists.
Choosing an impacted major blindly: Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture and similar programs need stronger planning.
Entering wrong self-reported grades: CPP uses self-reported application information for admission decisions.
Relying on essays or recommendations: CPP’s CDS marks essays and recommendations as not considered.
Not monitoring status after applying: Missing documents or transcript requests can delay or cancel progress.

Official Cal Poly Pomona links and sources

The key facts are summarized above so users do not need to click every source just to understand the process. Use these official pages for final verification before applying.

CPP Common Data Set 2025–2026

Official source for applicant, admit, enrollment, GPA, waitlist, test policy and fee data.

Open CPP Common Data Set PDF

Freshman admission requirements

Official CPP page for CSU eligibility, A-G requirements, GPA, SAT/ACT policy and MFA criteria.

Open freshman requirements

Freshman student profile

Official CPP profile explaining Multifactor Admission and CPP Index.

Open freshman student profile

Local area preference

Official CPP page explaining local area high schools and local preference.

Open local area preference

Campus and program impaction

Official source for CPP impacted majors and impaction explanation.

Open impaction page

Freshman application checklist

Official CPP checklist for Cal State Apply, self-reporting and application follow-up.

Open application checklist

FAQs about Cal Poly Pomona acceptance rate 2026

What is Cal Poly Pomona acceptance rate for 2026?

For 2026 planning, Cal Poly Pomona’s latest Common Data Set shows about a 74% acceptance rate, based on 35,688 admits out of 48,258 first-time, first-year applicants.

Is Cal Poly Pomona hard to get into?

CPP is moderately selective overall, but impacted majors such as Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture, Biology and Psychology can be more competitive than the overall admit rate suggests.

What GPA do you need for Cal Poly Pomona?

California residents need a 2.50 or higher A-G GPA, and non-California residents need a 3.00 or higher A-G GPA. The enrolled first-year average high school GPA was 3.70.

Does Cal Poly Pomona require SAT or ACT?

No. SAT and ACT scores are no longer used for CSU undergraduate admission decisions. If submitted, scores may be used after admission for English and math placement.

What is the CPP Index?

The CPP Index is calculated as A-G GPA x 1000 + 450 + points from CPP’s Multifactor Admission categories. It helps CPP evaluate eligible applicants by major and context.

What majors are impacted at Cal Poly Pomona?

Impacted majors include Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Biology, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology, Kinesiology-General and several animal science or science pathways.

Does Cal Poly Pomona give local preference?

Yes. CPP gives local preference to students from local area high schools and to veterans. Local applicants to non-impacted majors who meet minimum CSU eligibility requirements are admitted.

Does Cal Poly Pomona require an essay?

No. CPP’s Common Data Set marks application essays as not considered for first-year admission. Admission relies more on GPA, course rigor, CPP Index, major impaction, local preference and MFA criteria.

How many students get off the Cal Poly Pomona waitlist?

In the latest CDS, CPP offered 1,152 waitlist spots, 596 students accepted a waitlist place, and 58 waitlisted students were admitted.

How can I improve my Cal Poly Pomona application?

Complete A-G courses with C- or better, raise A-G GPA, check if your major is impacted, confirm local area status, add an alternate major, report Cal State Apply information accurately and monitor application status after submission.