Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | San Luis Obispo, California |
| Online | calpoly.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small Suburban |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) is a public institution established in 1901, nestled in the city of San Luis Obispo, a setting that provides a blend of suburban and rural environments, approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Famed for its "Learn by Doing" philosophy, the university emphasizes practical and experiential learning across its academic programs. Cal Poly is particularly renowned for its College of Engineering and College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, attracting students with its strong programs in these areas. The architecture on campus is distinctive, featuring a blend of Mission Revival and Modernist styles. On-campus living is available, with a variety of housing options for students. In terms of selectivity, Cal Poly maintains a more competitive admissions process.
In the most recent statistical year 58,774 prospective students applied, and 17,885 were granted admission. Of those admitted 5,110 enrolled in the school. 20,702 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 1,298 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $5,742 plus fees of $4,577. Cal Poly is ranked 155 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Cal Poly is rated within the top 26% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#155 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#35 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#20 in Best Colleges in California
#7 in Best Public Colleges in California
#301 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#22 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1220/1410 |
| ACT | 26/32 |
| GPA | 4.0 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Nov 30, 2024 |
| Applicant Competition | High |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $906 |
| Other Fees | $4,577 |
| Room and Board | $16,449 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,244 |
| Total One Year Cost | $29,918 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $906 |
| Other Fees | $4,577 |
| Room and Board | $16,449 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,244 |
| Total One Year Cost | $41,798 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 24% |
| Business | 15% |
| Agriculture | 15% |
| Architecture | 8% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 5% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110422 IPEDS survey data for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.
Current students may use the California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024