San Luis Obispo, CA
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo, California. The university has an undergraduate enrollment of 21,996 students and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has a 31.3% acceptance rate, indicating selective admissions where applicants face meaningful competition for enrollment.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 31,722 | 7,723 | 24.3% | 2,386 |
| Women | 32,014 | 11,241 | 35.1% | 2,892 |
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits 31.3% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 83%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's sticker price is $36,576, while the average net price is $16,665—meaning students pay approximately half the published cost on average.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $196.
After aid, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo costs $16,665 a year — about 14% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has an 85.7% graduation rate. Median earnings reach $72,358 six years after entry and $90,768 ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management,... | 747 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 288 |
| Computer Science | 219 |
| Animal Sciences, General | 189 |
| Architectural and Building... | 172 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 153 |
| Psychology, General | 152 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources... | 136 |
| Civil Engineering, General | 126 |
| Construction Management, General | 126 |
Median earnings eight years after entering California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are $82,835, and 79% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students earn $72,358 — 57% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in a small suburb of San Luis Obispo, California, with an undergraduate enrollment of 21,996 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
580 of 20,591 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
57 of 21,559 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 52 of 926 graduate students.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is in San Luis Obispo, CA, in what IPEDS classifies as a small suburb setting. The campus sits about 2.4 miles from the center of San Luis Obispo.
San Luis Obispo County scores 10.4 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — below average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 30.9% of San Luis Obispo's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo reported 7 arrests and 19 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has an acceptance rate of 31.3%. This means the university is selective in admissions, though nearly one-third of applicants are admitted.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has an undergraduate enrollment of 21,996 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1, providing reasonable access to instructors.
Approximately 24.8% of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students are first-generation college students. Additionally, 19.2% of students receive Pell grants.
The estimated cost of attendance at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $36,576 per year for California residents, including $13,596 in in-state tuition and fees. Out-of-state tuition is $34,665. The average net price after aid is $16,665.
The average net price after aid at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $16,665 per year. This represents actual out-of-pocket costs for students after grants and scholarships.
The median federal debt at graduation from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $18,500. About 24.9% of students borrow federal loans to finance their education.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has a graduation rate of 85.7%. This indicates a strong completion rate among enrolled students.
Median earnings for Cal Poly graduates are $72,358 six years after entry and $90,768 ten years after entry. These figures show salary growth over time in the workforce.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has a three-year federal loan repayment rate of 86.7%. This indicates graduates are successfully managing their student debt obligations.
Women comprise 50.8% of the student body at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, indicating near gender parity on campus.