Pomona, CA, United States

Pomona is a sprawling suburban city in the Los Angeles metro area, home to the state's second-largest polytechnic university. Cal Poly Pomona boasts an impressive 1,725-acre campus, the second largest in the California State University system, but seismic risks and persistent bureaucracy pose ongoing challenges. With nearly 5,000 students enrolled in its renowned engineering and business programs, this polytechnic university offers a solid education, but the broader city's suburban character and proximity to Los Angeles may not suit all.