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California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About California Polytechnic State University

Morning fog lifts off coastal hills as students dive into labs, studios, shops, and fields. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is known for a hands-on, learn by doing ethos across applied sciences, design, agriculture, business, and the liberal arts. Maker spaces, research labs, and practical studios sit alongside advising, tutoring, health and counseling, and an on-site career center. It feels practical, but creative too.

Student life skews outdoorsy and collaborative, with clubs, intramurals, and quick escapes to trails and the coast. The culture's grounded and can do, with an orientation tradition that gets newcomers into the region. Career prep shows up in internships and alumni mentorship. Notable grads include John Madden and aerospace designer Burt Rutan. And the friendly downtown adds markets, cafés, and live arts.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, California, 93407, USA
Phone
+1 (805) 756-1111
Website
calpoly.edu
Unit ID
110422

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
WSCUC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Quarter system (four terms per year: fall, winter, spring, summer)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Campus Setting
Located in a small suburb (outside principal city, under 100,000 population)
Carnegie Classification
Master's - Large programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$11,075
Tuition $5,742 + Fee $5,333
Out-of-State
$30,995
Tuition $17,622 + Fee $13,373
Student Profile
Total Students 22,485
Undergraduate 21,521
Graduate/Other 964
Male: 11,224 Female: 11,261
Applications
Total Applicants 63,736
Admitted 18,964
Enrolled 5,278
Acceptance: 29.8% Yield: 27.8%
Staff
Total Staff 2,969
Full-time 2,503
Part-time 466
Full-time: 84.3% Part-time: 15.7%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo offers 83 degree programs across 27 major academic fields, graduating approximately 5,523 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Engineering (16 programs, 1,171 graduates), Business (4 programs, 968 graduates), Agriculture (8 programs, 548 graduates), Social Sciences (5 programs, 267 graduates) and Architecture (4 programs, 260 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Engineering (16 programs, 1,171 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Mechanical Engineering 309
Bachelor's
Master's
 14.1901
Civil Engineering 126
Bachelor's
 14.0801
Aerospace Engineering 107
Bachelor's
Master's
 14.0201
Biomedical Engineering 107
Bachelor's
Master's
 14.0501
Electrical and Electronics Engineering 86
Bachelor's
Master's
 14.1001
Computer Engineering 80
Bachelor's
 14.0901
Industrial Engineering 73
Bachelor's
Master's
 14.3501
Materials Engineering 59
Bachelor's
 14.1801
Architectural Engineering 57
Bachelor's
Master's
 14.0401
Software Engineering 37
Bachelor's
 14.0903
Agricultural Engineering 32
Bachelor's
 14.0301
Environmental Health Engineering 31
Bachelor's
 14.1401
Manufacturing Engineering 28
Bachelor's
 14.3601
Civil Engineering 26
Master's
 14.0899
Engineering Science 12
Bachelor's
 14.1301
Engineering 1
Postbac Cert.
 14.9999
Business (4 programs, 968 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 777
Bachelor's
Master's
 52.0201
Construction Management 126
Bachelor's
 52.2001
Management Science 51
Master's
 52.1301
Taxation 14
Master's
 52.1601
Agriculture (8 programs, 548 graduates)
Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Animal Sciences 189
Bachelor's
 01.0901
Agribusiness Operations 118
Bachelor's
 01.0102
Viticulture and Enology 65
Bachelor's
 01.1004
Agronomy and Crop Science 49
Bachelor's
 01.1102
Food Science 44
Bachelor's
Master's
 01.1001
Agricultural Journalism 35
Bachelor's
 01.0802
Agricultural Mechanization 30
Bachelor's
 01.0201
Dairy Science 18
Bachelor's
 01.0905
Social Sciences (5 programs, 267 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Political Science and Government 98
Bachelor's
 45.1001
Sociology 58
Bachelor's
 45.1101
Economics 57
Bachelor's
 45.0601
Social Sciences 34
Bachelor's
 45.9999
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics 20
Master's
 45.0603
Architecture (4 programs, 260 graduates)
Architectural Design and Construction Planning Services
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Architectural and Building Sciences 172
Bachelor's
 04.0902
Landscape Architecture 42
Bachelor's
 04.0601
Urban and Regional Planning 40
Bachelor's
Master's
 04.0301
Architecture 6
Master's
 04.0201
Computer & IT (1 programs, 247 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Computer Science 247
Bachelor's
Master's
 11.0701
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 220 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 170
Bachelor's
Master's
 26.0101
Biochemistry 29
Bachelor's
 26.0202
Microbiology 20
Bachelor's
 26.0502
Ecology 1
Bachelor's
 26.1301
Natural Resources (3 programs, 197 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Environmental and Natural Resources Management and Policy 138
Bachelor's
 03.0299
Forestry 40
Bachelor's
 03.0501
Environmental Science 19
Master's
 03.0104
Education (6 programs, 174 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Agricultural Teacher Education 60
Master's
 13.1301
Early Childhood Education 50
Bachelor's
 13.1210
Educational Leadership and Administration 20
Master's
 13.0401
College Student Counseling and Personnel Services 17
Master's
 13.1102
Curriculum and Instruction 15
Master's
 13.0301
Special Education Teaching 12
Master's
 13.1001
Communication (2 programs, 172 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Speech Communication and Rhetoric 86
Bachelor's
 09.0101
Journalism 86
Bachelor's
 09.0401

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo.

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Neither required nor recommended
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Required
Recommendations
Neither required nor recommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
Admission Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Neither required nor recommended

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$32,321
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$52,241
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$11,075
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$30,995
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$17,220 (on) / $18,042 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,089
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$2,937
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$2,937
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$12,509
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$22,013
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

24%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$12,707
Avg. Loan
$6,008
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,069
Additional
Students with Any Grant
2,424
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
1,440
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
1,009
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$7,705
Average amount of institutional grant awarded
Show more financial aid data

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

85%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
95%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$58,977 – $132,118
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$58,977 (25th %) $132,118 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $90,768
Median Salary After 6 Years
$72,358
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$90,768
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
86.7%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
91.5%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$18,500
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 81.6%
Middle 84.9%
High 90.0%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 87.8%
Independent 75.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo

How much does it cost to attend California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo?

The annual tuition at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo is $11,075 for in-state students and $30,995 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $32,321 for in-state students and $52,241 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $17,220 (on) / $18,042 (off) and books and supplies $1,089.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo offer?

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo offers 83 academic programs across 27 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (16 programs)
  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (4 programs)
  • Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (8 programs)
  • Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (5 programs)
  • Architectural Design and Construction Planning Services (4 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo?

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo has an 29.8% acceptance rate and a 27.8% yield rate, making it highly selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 63,736
  • Students admitted: 18,964
  • Students enrolled: 5,278

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo?

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo provides financial aid to 24% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $12,707 and average loans of $6,008.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,840
  • State/Local grants: $4,360
  • Institutional grants: $7,705
  • Federal loans: $5,069

The university supports 2,424 students with grants and 1,440 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo graduates?

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median salary of $72,358 after 6 years and $90,768 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $58,977 (25th percentile) to $132,118 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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