Overview
If you're a hands-on learner, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo might be the perfect fit. Known for its "Learn by Doing" philosophy, Cal Poly offers strong programs in engineering, architecture, and agriculture. The picturesque campus is located in California’s Central Coast region, providing students with numerous outdoor activities and a vibrant college town atmosphere.
There are currently 21,521 undergraduates at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the school’s acceptance rate is 30%. The tuition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $11,075 for in-state students and $30,995 for out-of-state.
University
Suburb
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$32,321
$36,617
$15,624
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$32,321Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$52,241Since Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $32,321 for in-state students in CA, and $52,241 for out-of-state students. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the form even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is 001143.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out Scholarships360’s How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
If you reside in California and are considering Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarshipsWestern Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
19% of students at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.calpoly.edu/financial-aid
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 805-756-2927
Admissions
30%
Is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo test-optional?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo?
Students must apply by November 30 to enroll at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
18:1
Graduation Rate
85%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Engineering
24%
24% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
17%
17% of graduates
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
11%
11% of graduates
Social Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Architecture
4%
4% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
4%
4% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
Psychology
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
3%
3% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
3%
3% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Mathematics
2%
2% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
2%
2% of graduates
Communications Technologies
2%
2% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Education
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
21,521
Pell Grant 18%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 4%
Undergrad Students Over 25 2%
Percent Male / Female 50% / 50%
Ethnic Diversity at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
50% White
23% Hispanic
14% Asian / Pacific Islander
8% Multiracial
3% Unknown
1% International / Non-Citizen
1% Black
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$90,768
Median Debt $18,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $196
Graduation Rate 85%
What is the graduation rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
85% of students who start at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 27% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is $90,768. This is $40,377 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo take out in loans?
Graduates of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo take out a median of $18,500 in federal student loans. This is $5,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.