San Luis Obispo, CA
Common questions prospective students and families ask about California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
About 95% of first-time, full-time students who start at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo return for their second year, a commonly used early signal of student satisfaction and fit.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo reports a student-to-faculty ratio of about 18:1.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo reports that SAT/ACT scores are neither required nor recommended as part of undergraduate admission.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo offers programs including Accounting and Related Services, Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, Agricultural Business and Management, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Mechanization, Agricultural Public Services, Agriculture, General, Animal Sciences, and 82 more programs.
Cal Poly is described as a public polytechnic university and the oldest of the three polytechnic universities in the California State University system; the university also self-reports U.S. News & World Report recognition as the top public school in the West and the West's best public, master's-level university for 31 consecutive years.
Cal Poly is in San Luis Obispo County on California's Central Coast, with the official about page placing it halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and Wikipedia noting it is outside the San Luis Obispo city limits.
Cal Poly's official about page frames campus culture around community spirit and traditions that unite students and alumni across generations.
Cal Poly first required seniors to complete a capstone project in 1940; today, senior projects may involve scholarly research, industry partnerships, public performances, or business start-ups.
Cal Poly markets itself around 'Learn by Doing' and 'Ready Day One,' arguing that rigorous academics plus real-world application prepare students for careers and community impact.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA, in a suburb setting.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo enrolls approximately 21,996 undergraduate students.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits approximately 31% of undergraduate applicants.
The total cost of attendance at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is about $32,265 per year. Published tuition is about $13,596 for in-state students and $34,665 for out-of-state students. The average net price actually paid, after grants and scholarships, is about $16,665.
About 19% of students at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo receive a federal Pell Grant, a commonly used marker of how many lower-income students the institution serves.
About 86% of first-time, full-time students complete a degree within 150% of normal time (e.g. 6 years for a 4-year program) at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Former students of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo report median earnings of about $90,768 ten years after entry.