Is there a huge difference between the schools in the STEM area? Why is it CPP seen as the “worse” institute when they share the similar philosophy and have a completely different environment. Are there some academic parts or quality of education where the difference is obvious?. I have always seen CPP as a great school but not many others share my point of view and say that SLO is way better. I am interested in engineering and physics if that changes anything at all.
The biggest difference between the two schools is not so much in the academics, but in the atmosphere.
Cal Poly SLO is located next to a fun and friendly college town, surrounded by scenic mountains and vineyards, and close to uncrowded beaches. Nobody commutes to Cal Poly SLO, because there aren’t any major cities within commuting distance. So virtually all of the students live either on campus or in town nearby, which leads to a vibrant social atmosphere on nights and weekends. Lots of student spirit and activities, including football. It’s a traditional residential college experience.
Cal Poly Pomona has a nice campus, but is located in one of the less interesting parts of Greater LA, surrounded by freeways, with too much traffic to get to the beach. Most of the students live at home or off-campus, usually not close by because the nearest towns aren’t particularly attractive, and commute to school. The school has a reputation for being dead in the evenings and on weekends, because everyone leaves campus as early as possible to beat traffic. Not known for school spirit, no football. It’s a “commuter school” experience.
The great thing about Cal Poly Pomona is that if you live within commuting distance – and literally millions of people do – then you can live at home and get a quality education at a remarkably low cost. For such people, Cal Poly Pomona may be the best education value around. But if you can afford the room and board, it may be a lot more fun to live away from home in SLO for four years.
@Corbett So it is not really that much about the academics? It seems a little weird because CPP seems like a good fi fit for me but around my school it is not at the same level as SLO. I guess I just focus on myself, since I have read that CPP has a strong engineering program. I did not apply to SLO because I thought I would not get internship opportunities due for it being in a small college town and found out about my mistakes too late to do anything, but I applied to enough schools where I’d be happy to attend.
Both Cal Polys have strong academic programs (especially in light of their low tuition). In general, however, people are more likely to prefer the atmosphere at SLO (although there are certainly exceptions), for reasons discussed above. This means that more people apply to SLO than to Pomona, and this in turn means that SLO is more selective.
Since SLO is more selective, SLO students have (on average) significantly higher test scores and grades than Pomona students. So even if the academic programs at schools at both schools are completely equivalent, SLO may still be considered “better”, because it attracts higher-performing students.
This does not necessarily mean that you should prefer the atmosphere at SLO, or that SLO would be “better” for you specifically. For some people, CPP is “better”.
@Corbett Why is that SLO’s website says that the average GPA for transfers in engineering is about a 3.5, but no one that had lower than a 3.9 got in from my California CC?
@justinmega1 Because you are at just one of hundreds of CCs in California. I know people who were above 3.5 but definitely not perfect who got in.
The campus experience is important. But the learning atmosphere too. My friend’s son with high stats went to SLO as engineering major dropped out after one term as he found himself not as competitive and constantly stressed. Personal choice after all.
SLO is better for Engineering because US News and World Reports says it is. Their criteria for selecting rank is laughable. They send out two surveys to the Engineering Department at each school and ask the dean to indicate programs they consider respectable.
Seriously, though for engineering there isn’t much difference. For mechanical engineering the coursework is nearly identical, with San Luis requiring a few more courses. The classes are equally brutal. These days with so many people applying to SLO (because of US News Rankings) that the quality of student applying for Pomona is pretty amazing.
My son is finding that Pomona is highly respected in Southern California Industry. He applied and received an internship at Northrup Grumman for a very competitive position. The criteria for acceptance was a good GPA from a respected school… which Pomona is.
Pomona is not a party school as it is mainly a commuter campus. I think less than 2000 live on campus… less than 10%. Not many engineering students have time to party.
Agreed engineering classes are brutal - irrespective of school.
@ontherails that is amazing!! It certainly gives me a new perspective. According to the USNR CPP is also pretty high up there, is the coursework similar because they both are ABET accredited or is it just a coincidence? I know they set some standards and requirements, so does it mean that I’ll essentially be taught the same no matter where I go?
@tintinhope thank you for your input! I’m just trying to make the best decision 
My husband is a CPP engineering grad and my son is considering both CPP and SLO for engineering. We toured SLO last month and my son loved it. Both are strong programs. My husband does say if my son has the chance to go to SLO he should take it. He attributes the strength of the program to the fact that the students live on campus and are immersed in the program while CPP has mostly commuter students. My husband has worked in the engineering field in the area around CPP for 20 years and says the degree from CPP is highly respected. You can’t go wrong with either choice!