California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in San Luis Obispo, California. It enrolls 21,996 students (a very large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Official website: calpoly.edu

Acceptance

31.3%

Graduation

77.8%

Net Price

$16,665

Median Earnings (10yr)

$90,768

Enrollment

21,996

Student : Faculty

18:1

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

With an acceptance rate of 31.3%, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a selective institution.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $16,665 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees (in-state)

$13,596

Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)

$34,665

Room & Board (on-campus)

$18,792

Room & Board (off-campus)

$19,155

Books & Supplies

$1,119

Other Expenses (on-campus)

$3,069

Other Expenses (off-campus)

$3,942

Total Cost of Attendance

$32,265

Application fee: $70 (one-time, due at submission)

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

• Under $30,000
  $7,529
• $30,001 – $48,000
  $7,253
• $48,001 – $75,000
  $9,896
• $75,001 – $110,000
  $15,786
• Over $110,000
  $27,772

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

Graduation Rate & Retention

78% of full-time students who enrolled at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduate within six years, and 95% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo earn a median of $90,768 ten years after first enrolling. That's well above the national median for U.S. colleges.

Earnings by Demographic

Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.

By Gender

By Family Income at Entry

Loan Repayment Progression

Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.

Who Studies Here

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is home to 21,996 students, a sprawling student community.

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

What You Can Study

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo offers an extensive catalog of programs: 94 distinct programs across 27 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is 18:1, on the higher side.

Faculty by Rank

931 instructional faculty across 5 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Pros & Cons of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

A quick at-a-glance summary of how California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.