Overview
San Luis Obispo, CA 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 20,976 undergraduates at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the school’s acceptance rate is 30%. The tuition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $10,319 for in-state students and $28,229 for out-of-state.
University
Suburb
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$29,918
$29,062
$18,766
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$29,918for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$47,828for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since 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 $29,918 for in-state students in CA, and $47,828 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any 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
Students who are applying for financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
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 our 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 scholarships
Western 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
16% of students at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or have questions that are specific to your personal 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
20:1
Graduation Rate
85%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Engineering
23%
23% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
18%
18% of graduates
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
11%
11% of graduates
Architecture
5%
5% of graduates
Social Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Psychology
3%
3% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
2%
2% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Mathematics
2%
2% of graduates
Communications Technologies
2%
2% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
2%
2% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Education
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
20,976
Pell Grant 17%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 5%
Undergrad Students Over 25 3%
Percent Male / Female 51% / 49%
Ethnic Diversity at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
51% White
21% 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 end up finishing 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?
10 years after starting school at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $90,768. This is $40,377 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our 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 have to 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, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our 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.
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