Cal Poly Pomona listed among top colleges

Cal Poly Pomona made U.S. News & World Report's 2010 "America's Best Colleges" rankings.

Cal Poly has been listed among the best public universities in the Western United States, the university announced this week.

The university tied for the magazine's eighth spot among non-doctorate granting institutions and tied for the 32nd spot in the West among public and private universities offering undergraduate and master's degree programs, according to a university statement.

The western region is made up of 15 states that includes California, Texas, Alaska and Hawaii.

Cal Poly's College of Engineering, established in 1957, tied for the 15th spot nationally among non-doctoral programs.

The engineering program trains one of every 15 engineers in California and the most Latino engineers in the state, according to the university.

"There are many excellent engineering programs in the country, so it's always a great feeling to be in their company," said Edward Hoh- mann, dean of the College of Engineering. "The ranking is a testament to our superb faculty, our learn-by-doing philosophy and our dedicated, inquisitive students."

"Our students graduate with an enthusiasm that's focused on excelling at work as well a making a profit for their company," he said. "Our graduates are prepared to be successful in the broad global marketplace."

Academic excellence isn't the only thing that made Cal Poly stand out.

The university's diverse student body tied it for 12th place making it one of the most diverse campuses in the nation and its international student population earned the 17th spot in the West.