Cal Poly Pomona has been named one of the best values in higher education by PayScale.com, the largest online database of salary, benefits and compensation information.

Based on mid-career median salaries, Cal Poly Pomona placed 130th overall out of the 1,016 colleges and universities in the United States. The ranking is higher than many well-known universities, including the University of Minnesota (158), University of Arizona (163), University of Michigan – Ann Arbor (184) and UC Riverside (229). Cal Poly Pomona is the among the top three CSUs in the list, behind San Jose State (121) and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (58).

The university also ranked high on Payscale’s College Education Return on Investment list, coming in at 113 out of more than 1,500 analyzed.

Cal Poly Pomona President Michael Ortiz attributes the ranking to the university’s learn-by-doing approach.

“Because of the university’s commitment to a quality education, our students have the skills they need to flourish in today’s workplace,” Ortiz says. “A hands-on education positions them for success immediately after graduation and throughout their career.”

PayScale.com ranks colleges and universities from across the nation on their annual College Salary Report on graduates’ self-reported salaries.