Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | San Luis Obispo, California |
| Online | calpoly.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small Suburban |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in San Luis Obispo, California, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a large four year public college offering both undergrad and graduate programs. In the most recent statistical year 54,570 prospective students applied, and 18,008 were granted admission. Of those admitted 4,884 enrolled in the school. 20,776 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 1,455 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2021/2022, excluding room and board, is $5,742 plus fees of $4,453. Cal Poly is ranked 153 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2023 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Cal Poly is rated within the top 26% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo within the 2023 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#153 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#37 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#21 in Best Colleges in California
#7 in Best Public Colleges in California
#434 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#27 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1220/1410 |
| ACT | 26/32 |
| GPA | 4.0 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Nov 30, 2023 |
| Applicant Competition | High |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $909 |
| Other Fees | $4,453 |
| Room and Board | $16,332 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,244 |
| Total One Year Cost | $29,680 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $909 |
| Other Fees | $4,453 |
| Room and Board | $16,332 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,244 |
| Total One Year Cost | $41,560 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 24% |
| Business | 15% |
| Agriculture | 15% |
| Architecture | 8% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Cal Poly are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110422 IPEDS survey data for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.
Current students may use the California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.