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 situated along California's central coast, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles in the city of San Luis Obispo. The 1,321-acre main campus, known for its Spanish-influenced architecture, combines suburban and rural elements with rolling hills and agricultural lands used for hands-on learning. Established in 1901 as a vocational high school, Cal Poly has evolved into a selective public university recognized for its "Learn by Doing" educational approach and strong programs in engineering, architecture, and agriculture. The campus houses most first-year students in traditional residence halls and maintains specialized facilities including engineering labs, architecture design studios, and agricultural units. The university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Mustangs, with notable programs in baseball and volleyball.
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