<p>I posted the same question on the UC Merced thread. What university will offer better academic opportunities in mechanical engineering? I would be living on campus at Cal Poly and commuting to UC Merced. What do you think? Will the cheaper tuition at Cal Poly Pomona offset the housing cost and offer a better college experience for me? Thank you!</p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona has an established, well respected and impacted program. If you get in, I would definitely go there. Besides, I would rather be in Los Angeles, where there’s more to do an more internship opportunities during college and jobs after graduation. I would only consider UC Merced for agricultural fields.</p>
<p>One thing to consider is that UC Merced is not ABET Accredited yet while CP Pomona is. Merced probably will be soon, but the school is just too young/new.</p>
<p>source: [Accredited</a> Programs Search](<a href=“http://www.abet.org/AccredProgramSearch/AccreditationSearch.aspx]Accredited”>http://www.abet.org/AccredProgramSearch/AccreditationSearch.aspx)</p>
<p>Cal Poly Pomona for sure.</p>
<p>For engineering, Cal Poly Pomona is comparable to even UC Davis, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara; I think it offers a better deal, reputation and academic rigor. I’d say Cal Poly Pomona.</p>