Cal Poly Admission Requirements
- 8/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- San Luis Obispo, CA
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4.7 3 reviews
Cal Poly Admission Overview
Cal Poly admission requirements are highly competitive. Last year Cal Poly admitted 31.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 4.0 GPA (A/A+). Cal Poly is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Cal Poly is test-free for 2026-27. SAT and ACT are not used, even if you send them.
Cal Poly Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
High
Admission difficulty for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Acceptance Rate
The Cal Poly acceptance rate is 31.3%. Last year, 21,416 of 68,371 applicants were admitted. That is the 14th lowest acceptance rate in California and the 111st lowest in 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, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo typically 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. 25% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Cal Poly GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
4.0Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A/A+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 4.0
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Cal Poly typically have around a 4.0 GPA (A/A+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Cal Poly is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.
59% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #1 in California for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Cal Poly Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo does not use SAT or ACT scores to decide first-year admission. The California State University has permanently suspended ACT and SAT tests in the admissions process. You apply on Cal State Apply, declare a major, and are reviewed against other first-year applicants in that major through Cal Poly's Multi-Criteria Admission process. If you are admitted, SAT or ACT scores may be used for mathematics and English placement and for scholarship eligibility.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/first-year-student/application-resources/application-guide
Cal Poly SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers from the last year SAT scores were reported. The maximum score is 1600.
1220-1410Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores, from the last year SAT scores were reported.
75%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 610
- Math 610
- Composite 1220
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 690
- Math 720
- Composite 1410
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Cal Poly typically score around a 1320 SAT (middle 50% 1220–1410) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 90th percentile nationally. Cal Poly ranks #23 in the state of California and #179 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1220 to 1410
View other colleges which accept students in the 1320 SAT score range.
SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Cal Poly ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers in the last year ACT scores were reported. The scale tops out at 36.
26-32Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT, from the last year ACT scores were reported.
57%25th Percentile Scores
- English 25
- Math 26
- Composite 26
75th Percentile Scores
- English 34
- Math 31
- Composite 32
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Cal Poly typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 26–32) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Cal Poly places #18 among colleges in California and #163 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 26 to 32
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.
ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.
Open the Cal Poly chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
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?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2026 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Nov 30, 2026Days left to Apply
91Applicants have 91 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2026.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is $70.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Cal Poly is test-free for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 31.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 4.0 GPA (about an A/A+ average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110422.
GPA calculator: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026