CC BY 2.0
Edited
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

One of two polytechnics in the CSU System, the California Polytechnic State University, more commonly known as Cal Poly, has a competitive admissions process for its programs, which focus in arts, technology, and sciences. The university is located in San Luis Obispo, 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean and smackdab between LA and San Francisco. The 9,678-acre land holding includes three ranches, the Valencia Property, and, of course, the 1,321-acre campus offering 65 bachelor’s, 84 minors, and 39 master’s degrees. Cal Poly’s philosophy is “Learn By Doing,” and many classes include a significant portion of laboratory and field work in their curriculums.

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
0
100
33%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is not checked
No

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Fall Regular DecisionNovember 30May 1

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
78%
Out-Of-State Students
16%
42%
Submitting ACT
80%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 30
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1342
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
22,231
Total Number of Undergrads
21,128
Academic Calendar

Quarter

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
14%
20-39 Students
57%
40-99 Students
23%
100+ Students
4%
0
100
51%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
82%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
21:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$20,491
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$10,319
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$28,229
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$16,449
Books and Supplies
$906

Aid & Grants

0
100
67%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
17%
Average Aid Per Year
$6,186
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
17%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,537
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$4,063

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
28%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,270
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$17,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$186

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
51%
49%
Student Organizations
393
Size of Town
Suburb or town
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
32%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Mustangs
School Colors
green and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Big Sky Conference

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
San Francisco
San Luis Obispo
Los Angeles
San Diego
Sacramento
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
75%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$74,300

What Students Are Saying

Cal Poly is fantastic for education, social life, and extracurricular activities. My classes have always been great with good teachers and interesting coursework. It's also so much fun, from the party scene to opportunities to get involved on campus!
Zoe from Santa Barbara, CA
Cal Poly is an academically challenging school who does well in providing its students with the necessary resources to move forward in their major. The staff is truly supportive of any concerns and do their best to help in any way. Cal Poly is also situated in San Luis Obispo, and environmentally dynamic city with much to discover.
Alyssa from Huntington Park, CA