Cal Poly Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Cal Poly is 30.4%.  Its admission rate is the 16th lowest in California and the 109th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Cal Poly and can you get accepted?

Cal Poly is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 17,885 out of the 58,774 who applied were admitted.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo typically accepts and attracts "A/A+" average high school students with an average GPA around 4.0. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Cal Poly?

30% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo you should:

• Have a high school GPA of 4.0 or better
• Earn A/A+ grades in high school
• Score 1320 on the SAT
• Score 29 on the ACT
• Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Cal Poly are to have around a 4.0 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Cal Poly will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Cal Poly is 4.0 on the 4.0 scale. 59% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A/A+ letter grades and regularly score around 97-100 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #1 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Cal Poly is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Cal Poly is 1320 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1220-1410. Students who get into California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo score in the top 22 percent of all SAT test takers..  Cal Poly ranks #20 in the state of California and #166 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1320 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Cal Poly regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1220 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1220, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1120, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1320 SAT score range.

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1315, you have around a 30% chance of being admitted. A 1410 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 45% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Cal Poly?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Cal Poly is 29, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 26 and 32.  The school ranks #18 in California and #153 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 29. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 26 and score in the score in the top 18 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 23.

57 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Cal Poly for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 29 score has around 30% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 45% with a 32 ACT score.

High School Class Rank

82% of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 49% are in the top ten percent.

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Credits Accepted

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Cal Poly is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 4.0 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1320 on the SAT or 29 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1410 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.