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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly

San Luis Obispo, California 93407

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Campus Vibe

Large UniversitySuburbanVery SelectivePublicEngineering Focus

Top graduate earnings — known for engineering

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution in San Luis Obispo with particular strength in engineering and business.

A large campus of 21.5K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

85% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $90,768 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,624.

Established
1901
Motto
Discere Faciendo
Mascot
Chase the MustangMusty the Mustang
Type
Public polytechnic university
Conference
NCAA Division I
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

30%Acceptance
—SAT Avg
21,521Students
18:1Student:Faculty
85%Grad Rate
$90,768Earnings 10yr
$15,624Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate29.8%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

29.8%

Trend

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$11,075
Tuition (out-of-state)$30,995
Room & Board$17,220
Books & Supplies$1,089
Total Cost of Attendance$29,918
Average Net Price$15,624
Median Debt at Graduation$18,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$196

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$6,476
$30–48K$6,904
$48–75K$11,372
$75–110K$18,032
$110K+$26,920

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

76.5%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,396

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

153

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

36

Burglary

7

Aggravated Assault

5

Robbery

12

Motor Vehicle Theft

17

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

43

Drug Arrests

32

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (128)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

95%

Positive
  • •95% first-year retention rate
  • •Active student organizations
  • •Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
21,521
Gender Split
50% / 50%
Women / Men
First Generation
25%
Pell Grant Recipients
18%

Race & Ethnicity

White 50%
Black 1%
Hispanic 23%
Asian 14%
Two+ 8%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate85.2%
Freshman Retention95.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$72,358
10 Years$90,768

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

Forbes
#55
↓1
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#32
↑1
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

BasketballSoccer alex

History & Fun Facts

  • •The school began classes on October 1, 1903, with 20 students enrolled, offering three-year secondary-level courses.
  • •Transition to higher education In 1924, Cal Poly came under the control of the California State Board of Education.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

LAX Los Angeles159 mi
SJC San Jose159 mi
SFO San Francisco187 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2675 mi · ~77h 17m drive
New York, NY2537 mi · ~73h 17m drive
Hartford, CT2598 mi · ~75h 3m drive
Providence, RI2662 mi · ~76h 54m drive
Albany, NY2537 mi · ~73h 17m drive
Syracuse, NY2414 mi · ~69h 44m drive
Rochester, NY2340 mi · ~67h 36m drive
Buffalo, NY2276 mi · ~65h 45m drive
Philadelphia, PA2483 mi · ~71h 44m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2226 mi · ~64h 18m drive
Harrisburg, PA2390 mi · ~69h 3m drive
Newark, NJ2528 mi · ~73h 2m drive
Washington, DC2394 mi · ~69h 10m drive
Baltimore, MD2413 mi · ~69h 43m drive
Atlanta, GA2056 mi · ~59h 24m drive
Charlotte, NC2231 mi · ~64h 27m drive
Raleigh, NC2344 mi · ~67h 43m drive
Miami, FL2478 mi · ~71h 35m drive
Orlando, FL2335 mi · ~67h 27m drive
Tampa, FL2289 mi · ~66h 8m drive
Nashville, TN1891 mi · ~54h 38m drive
New Orleans, LA1810 mi · ~52h 17m drive
Richmond, VA2387 mi · ~68h 57m drive
Chicago, IL1828 mi · ~52h 49m drive
Detroit, MI2064 mi · ~59h 38m drive
Minneapolis, MN1584 mi · ~45h 46m drive
St. Louis, MO1689 mi · ~48h 48m drive
Kansas City, MO1454 mi · ~42h drive
Indianapolis, IN1903 mi · ~54h 59m drive
Columbus, OH2070 mi · ~59h 48m drive
Cleveland, OH2134 mi · ~61h 39m drive
Milwaukee, WI1821 mi · ~52h 36m drive
Dallas, TX1374 mi · ~39h 42m drive
Houston, TX1517 mi · ~43h 49m drive
Austin, TX1372 mi · ~39h 38m drive
San Antonio, TX1352 mi · ~39h 3m drive
Los Angeles, CA162 mi · ~4h 41m drive
San Francisco, CA197 mi · ~5h 41m drive
San Diego, CA268 mi · ~7h 45m drive
Seattle, WA855 mi · ~24h 42m drive
Portland, OR714 mi · ~20h 38m drive
Denver, CO910 mi · ~26h 17m drive
Phoenix, AZ506 mi · ~14h 37m drive
Salt Lake City, UT608 mi · ~17h 34m drive
Honolulu, HI2443 mi · ~70h 35m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Los Angeles (LAX)159 miles
Rental car
239 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
318 min$191-318
San Jose (SJC)159 miles
Rental car
239 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
318 min$191-318

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Application Checklist

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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo — v2 Preview — TourStack