California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States, outside of the city limits of San Luis Obispo. Founded in 1901, it is the oldest of three polytechnic universities within the California State University system. Cal Poly emphasizes a "learn by doing" philosophy, integrating hands-on, practical experiences into its curriculum. As of fall 2022, Cal Poly had approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 800 graduate students.
At a glance
- Acceptance rate: 31%
- Average net price: $17,453
- Undergraduate enrollment: 22,726
- Graduation rate (150%): 86%
- Graduation rate (200%): 87%
- 8-year Outcome Measures award rate: 88%
- Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
- Median earnings (10 years): $90,768
- Median earnings (8 years): $82,835
- Median earnings (6 years): $72,358
- Control: Public
- Locale: Suburb, small
- Calendar: Quarter
- City: San Luis Obispo, CA
Majors and programs
The most common programs at Cal Poly include Business Administration and Management, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science.
- Business Administration and Management (747 bachelor's) · median earnings $110,902 4 years after graduation · median debt $16,633
- Mechanical Engineering (288 bachelor's) · median earnings $106,750 4 years after graduation · median debt $20,500
- Computer Science (219 bachelor's) · median earnings $154,784 4 years after graduation · median debt $19,500
- Animal Sciences (189 bachelor's) · median earnings $54,805 4 years after graduation · median debt $20,500
- Architectural and Building Sciences (172 bachelor's) · median earnings $58,653 1 year after graduation · median debt $23,500
- Biology (153 bachelor's) · median earnings $69,854 4 years after graduation · median debt $23,000
- Psychology (152 bachelor's) · median earnings $60,466 4 years after graduation · median debt $18,916
- Environmental (136 bachelor's) · median earnings $68,965 4 years after graduation · median debt $19,500
- Civil Engineering (126 bachelor's) · median earnings $101,072 4 years after graduation · median debt $20,424
- Construction Management (126 bachelor's) · median earnings $118,331 4 years after graduation · median debt $18,500
Degree mix: Business 32%, Engineering 39%, Computer Science 8%, Health 2%, Biological Sciences 7%, Psychology 5%, Communication 6%, Other 1%.
Award levels offered: Bachelor's, Master's.
Cost
Cal Poly students from families earning $0 to $30,000 pay about $7,529 a year after aid.
- Net price, $0 to $30,000: $7,529
- Net price, $30,001 to $48,000: $7,253
- Net price, $48,001 to $75,000: $9,896
- Net price, $75,001 to $110,000: $15,786
- Net price, $110,001 and above: $27,772
- In-state tuition and fees: $13,596
- Out-of-state tuition and fees: $34,665
- Books and supplies: $1,119
- On-campus room and board: $18,792
- Off-campus room and board: $19,155
- Off-campus with family: $5,850
- Typical cost of attendance: $32,265
- Sticker vs net gap: 46%
- Students receiving any aid: 100%
- Pell Grant recipients: 19%
- Federal loan recipients: 25%
- Average institutional grant: $8,721
- Average federal loan: $5,900
- Median debt at graduation: $18,500
Admissions
Cal Poly admits 31% of applicants. Of students admitted, 25% enrolled.
- Applications: 68,371
- Admitted: 21,416
- Enrolled: 5,271
- Yield (first-choice signal): 25%
Who actually goes here
- Undergraduates: 22,726
- Women: 50%
- Commuter share (estimated): 61%
- Part-time undergraduates: 3%
- Age 25 and older: 2%
- Graduate students: 801
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Come back after freshman year: 96%
- First-generation: 25%
Faculty and campus
- Full-time faculty: 51%
- Student to faculty: 19:1
- Professor salary: $134,991
- Associate professor salary: $120,375
- Assistant professor salary: $106,419
- On-campus housing capacity: 8,769
- Study abroad: Available
- Online programs: Available
Common questions
What is the Cal Poly acceptance rate? Cal Poly admits 31% of applicants, based on the latest IPEDS admissions file.
How much does Cal Poly cost? Students from families earning $0 to $30,000 pay about $7,529 a year after aid. Average net price is $17,453.
What majors does Cal Poly offer? Popular programs include Business Administration and Management, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Animal Sciences, Architectural and Building Sciences.
What is the average salary after Cal Poly? Median earnings 10 years after entry are $90,768 for Title IV aid recipients in College Scorecard.
What is the Cal Poly graduation rate? In the IPEDS Outcome Measures cohort, 88% earned an award within eight years. The first-time, full-time 150% graduation rate is 86%.
Scorecard earnings and debt cover Title IV aid recipients, not cash-pay or private-loan students. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo official site: https://www.calpoly.edu.