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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Suburb · 21,996 students
Website Forbes ranking Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$16,665
Average net priceYour net price
In-state
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
86%
Graduation rate
54% typical
$90,768
Earnings 10 years on
$55,177 typical
31%
Acceptance rate
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is best known for its signature "Learn by Doing" philosophy, which integrates immediate, hands-on technical experience directly into the undergraduate curriculum. The university boasts nationally renowned programs in engineering, architecture, agriculture, and business, emphasizing practical problem-solving from a student's very first term. Nestled along California's scenic Central Coast, campus life is energetic and outdoorsy, with a collaborative student body that balances rigorous academics with hiking, surfing, and enjoying downtown San Luis Obispo. Setting Cal Poly apart is its direct-to-major admissions process and a required capstone Senior Project that frequently translates into direct employment after graduation.

Wikipedia:California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States, outside of the city limits of San Luis Obispo. Founded in 1901, it is the oldest of three polytechnic universities within the California State University system. Cal Poly emphasizes a "learn by doing" philosophy, integrating hands-on, practical experiences into its curriculum. As of fall 2025, Cal Poly had approximately 22,000 undergraduate and 900 graduate students.

Location
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
LAX · Los Angeles
159 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$13,596$34,665
Housing & food (on campus)$18,792$18,792
Books & supplies$1,119$1,119
Cost of attendance$32,265$53,334 est.
Average net price$16,665Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$34,665
In-state: $13,596
Housing & food (on campus)$18,792
Books & supplies$1,119
Cost of attendance$53,334 est.
In-state: $32,265
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $16,665
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students
$0–30k
$7,529
$30–48k
$7,253
$48–75k
$9,896
$75–110k
$15,786
$110k+
$27,772
Grants from the school
42% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $8,721
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Merit aid
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$4,121
First-years who got one624
Source: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
86%
Within 4 yrs
61%
Back for yr 2
96%
Transferred
1%
Pell students: 79.9% · others: 87.4% 
8 yrs after starting
87% graduated · 8% transferred · 5% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$72,358
10 yrs after entry$90,768
Debt
Median at graduation$18,500
Monthly payment$196
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$25k
90th percentile$30,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
31%
Test policy
Not required
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 26.9% · women 35.7% 
Yield: 24.6% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 49%Women 51%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
19 : 1
Pell grant
19%
First-gen
25%
Family income
$74,513
Independent
7%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
3%
Where first-years come from
In state (CA)
82.6%
Out of state
16.6%
International
0.8%

Most out-of-state first-years from: WA 279 · CO 120 · OR 111 · HI 53 · IL 38

Race & ethnicity
White
48%
Hispanic
25%
Black
1%
Asian
14%
Two or more
8%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$72,358
After 10 yrs
$90,768
Business Administration, Management and Operations689
Mechanical Engineering278
Computer Science202
Biology, General163
Animal Sciences159
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering159
Construction Management150
Civil Engineering148
Psychology, General135
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy129
Computer Engineering129
Agricultural Business and Management126
Architectural Sciences and Technology126
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities116
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering110
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies102
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$296M
Full-time faculty
69%
Faculty salary
$12,673/mo
Teaching spend
$11,438
per student
Federal loans
25%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$38M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
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