I got accepted to both Cal Poly Pomona and UCR for electrical engineering. I thought that Cal Poly Pomona was significantly better than UC Riverside at engineering, but my parents say that UC Riverside is better than Pomona since it’s a UC, it better overall, etc.
Just because UCR is a UC does not mean that it is better than CPP. Look over the curriculum/major course list for each school. They are probably similar in the degree requirements. UCR is on a quarter system while CPP is on a semester system. CPP is known for their STEM majors along with their learn by doing philosophy. UC’s are more researched based so it depends upon your career goal which would be better for you. I would say no bad option between the two schools.
EE programs are acredited by ABET so the courses are similar no matter where you go. Betweeen these 2 the choice really comes down to preference on things other than the academics. I don’t know how you decided “Cal Poly Pomona was significantly better”, nor why your parents think they do something different/better at a UC for engineering education.
In the end your outcome will depend on whether you are willing to do the significant work engineering takes. It will also be influenced by whether you put in the effort to find internships.
Look at job prospects, marketability and which school is more popular with campus job recruiters.