California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Overview

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in San Luis Obispo, CA. It has an enrollment of 21,090 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 33.00%.

The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $20,633. Tuition is $10,195.00 without financial aid.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a predominantly bachelor’s-degree granting school.

At California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 94.63% of students return after freshman year (national average: 68%).

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Website

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Admissions

For the incoming class in 2023, the acceptance rate was 33.00%.

SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor recommended

• The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023.
• The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Cost

The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $20,633. The in-state tuition is $10,195.00. Out-of-state tuition is $28,105.00

The average tuition is:

• $11,885, when family income is less than $30,000

• $12,855, when family income is between $30,001 and $48,000 

• $17,778, when family income is between $48,001 and $75,000

• $22,753, when family income is between $75,001 and $110,000

• $27,750, when family income is more than $110,000 

The average tuition shown here is based on the NET costs to students who receive financial aid. For the incoming class of 2023, 22.75% of students received a federal student loan and 16.28% of students received a Pell Grant.

Tuition is $28,105.00 without financial aid, or the in-state tuition discount.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Net Price Calculator

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Majors/Salaries

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has academic offerings within the core majors listed below.  

Please note that different schools classify majors differently, so it is best to view the school’s website to see the various programs it offers. See detailed information about the individual majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo here.

Recent Graduate Salaries

(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

• Agriculture, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
• Agriculture, General. (Master’s Degree) – $71,486
• Agricultural Business and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,149
• Agricultural Public Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,384
• Animal Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,711
• Food Science and Technology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
• Plant Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,869
• Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,124
• Natural Resources Management and Policy. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,281
• Forestry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,768
• Architecture. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,884
• Architecture. (Master’s Degree) – $80,022
• City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,432
• City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning. (Master’s Degree) – $63,749
• Landscape Architecture. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,041
• Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,459
• Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,649
• Graphic Communications. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,385
• Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $120,462
• Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Master’s Degree) – $116,083
• Education, General. (Master’s Degree) – $52,941
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,915
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,554
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $53,810
• Engineering, General. (Master’s Degree) – $78,971
• Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $76,460
• Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $88,639
• Agricultural Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,964
• Architectural Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,005
• Biomedical/Medical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $73,635
• Biomedical/Medical Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $78,971
• Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $72,645
• Civil Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $74,200
• Computer Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $93,964
• Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $79,647
• Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $101,964
• Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,005
• Materials Engineering (Bachelor’s Degree) – $68,219
• Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,038
• Mechanical Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $94,408
• Industrial Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $73,562
• Construction Engineering Technologies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $82,780
• Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,603
• English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
• Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
• Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,469
• Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,569
• Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,852
• Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,512
• Statistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,512
• Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,957
• Physics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,516
• Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,673
• Psychology, General. (Master’s Degree) – $45,808
• Fire Protection. (Master’s Degree) – $97,071
• Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,124
• Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,208
• Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,193
• Social Sciences, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,236
• Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,649
• Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,082
• Business/Commerce, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,651
• Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,328
• Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $70,886
• History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Diversity

The racial diversity of students who received financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

• American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.12%
• Asian: 13.70%
• Black: 0.69%
• Hispanic: 19.44%
• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.24%
• Non-resident alien: 2.03%
• Two or more races: 7.57%
• Unknown: 3.18%
• White: 53.02%

At California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 2.90% of undergraduate students are 25 years old, or older.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Frequently Asked Questions

How is school spirit at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is well known for its strong school spirit and sense of community. The university’s motto is “Learn By Doing,” and students take this to heart, showing their enthusiasm for the school in a variety of ways. The university has a large and active student body that participates in a range of sporting events, clubs, and organizations. Sports are a big part of student life at Cal Poly, with the university fielding competitive teams in a variety of sports, including Division 1 football, soccer, and volleyball. The university also has a strong tradition of community service and engagement, with students regularly volunteering their time and talents to help the surrounding community. Overall, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a vibrant community with a lot of school spirit and a strong sense of pride in its accomplishments.

What are some popular extracurriculars at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

At California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, some popular extracurricular activities include: 1. Club Sports: There are over 30 different types of club sports to choose from, ranging from surfing, snowboarding, and rock climbing to dance, taekwondo, and rugby. 2. Greek Life: There are over 30 fraternities and sororities at Cal Poly SLO that students can join. 3. Cal Poly Music Department: The Cal Poly music department has different music groups, including a symphony orchestra, jazz bands, and choirs. 4. Student Government: There are several positions available in student government that allow students to get involved in campus decision-making. 5. Volunteerism: Many students at Cal Poly SLO value community service and volunteerism, with opportunities available through clubs, organizations, and the school’s Service Learning program. 6. Engineering Club: With a strong emphasis on STEM, engineering clubs like Society of Women Engineers, Engineering World Health, and Formula SAE are quite popular. 7. Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) provides a platform for realizing student’s entrepreneurial dreams, with programs like Hackathons, Startup Weekend, and the Elevator Pitch Competition.

How are the food choices at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

The food choices at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are generally considered to be quite good. The university offers a variety of dining options that cater to different dietary needs and preferences. There are several dining halls on campus that serve a wide range of meals, from traditional American cuisine to international dishes. Additionally, there are coffee shops and smaller cafes located around campus. Many of these establishments use locally sourced ingredients, which adds to the quality of the food. Overall, students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo tend to appreciate the variety and quality of the dining options on campus.

Is there Greek life at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

Yes, there is Greek life at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The university has 31 fraternities and sororities, which are governed by the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Panhellenic Council, and the United Sororities and Fraternities Council (USFC). Membership in Greek life is a popular social and academic experience for many students at Cal Poly. However, participation in these organizations is not mandatory, and many students choose not to join.

What is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo known for?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, commonly known as Cal Poly, is known for its Learn by Doing approach to education. The university places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, which gives students the opportunity to experience real-life situations and challenges in their fields of study. Cal Poly is also known for its strong programs in engineering, agriculture, architecture, and business. Furthermore, the university has a reputation for being one of the top public universities in the United States.

What are the most popular school clubs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has over 400 student clubs and organizations to choose from, and there are many popular options on campus. Some of the most popular school clubs at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo include: 1. Concrete Canoe Club 2. University Programming Board 3. Cal Poly Gaming Club 4. PolyCon (anime, comics, and gaming) 5. Cal Poly Democrats / Republicans 6. Triathlon Club 7. Mustang Media Group (student newspaper, yearbook, radio station, and TV news) 8. American Institute of Architecture Students 9. Cal Poly Surf Team 10. Student Environmental Center These are just a few examples of the many clubs available at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Students can easily find a club of interest by browsing the list of organizations on the Cal Poly website or attending a Club Showcase at the beginning of each quarter.

Is the campus at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo safe?

Yes, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) has a relatively safe campus. The university takes the safety and security of its students seriously and has implemented various measures to ensure a safe environment. Cal Poly SLO has its own police department that patrols the campus 24/7, and there are also emergency phones located throughout the campus that students can use to call for help. Additionally, the university offers escort services for those who feel unsafe walking alone on campus at night. However, it is always advisable for students to take precautions and be aware of their surroundings.