California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · offers Graduate degrees
31%Acceptance rate
$16,665Average net price / year
86%Graduation rate
$90,768Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$18,500Median debt at graduation
21,996Undergraduates
Cost
- In-state tuition & fees
- $13,596
- Out-of-state tuition
- $34,665
- Total cost of attendance
- $32,265
- Room & board
- $18,792
- Books & supplies
- $1,119
- Average net price
- $16,665
Net price by family income
- $0–30k
- $7,529
- $30–48k
- $7,253
- $48–75k
- $9,896
- $75–110k
- $15,786
- $110k+
- $27,772
Admissions
- Acceptance rate
- 31.3%
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
- 86%
- First-year retention
- 96%
- Median earnings (6 yrs)
- $72,358
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $90,768
- Median debt (graduates)
- $18,500
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0.0%
- Students with Pell grants
- 19%
- Students with federal loans
- 25%
Programs: what graduates earn
80 of 125 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
| Program | Graduates | Earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 24 | $106,635 | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 49 | $96,886 | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 40 | $92,510 | $20,500 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 21 | $88,348 | $12,500 |
| Civil Engineering | 41 | $85,887 | $15,564 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 43 | $78,641 | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 9 | $76,876 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 27 | $66,290 | $20,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 4 | $53,654 | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 20 | $53,058 | — |
| Psychology, General | 18 | $49,062 | — |
| Fire Protection | 27 | $103,907 | — |
| Business/Commerce, General | — | $74,497 | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26 | $116,606 | — |
| Education, General | 0 | $56,302 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0 | $87,984 | — |
| Computer Science | 32 | $235,241 | — |
| Engineering, General | 0 | $90,194 | — |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 2 | $74,950 | — |
Students
- Undergraduates
- 21,996
- Graduate students
- 1,150
- Part-time
- 3%
- Women / men
- 51% / 49%
- White
- 48%
- Hispanic
- 25%
- Black
- 1%
- Asian
- 14%
- International
- 1%
Faculty & school
- Student–faculty ratio
- 19:1
- Avg faculty salary
- $114,057 / year
- Full-time faculty
- 69%
- Accreditor
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
- Website
- calpoly.edu
- Also known as
- Cal Poly
Most popular fields
- Agriculture – 11% of degrees
- Natural Resources & Conservation – 3% of degrees
- Architecture – 4% of degrees
- Communication & Journalism – 4% of degrees
- Computer & Information Sciences – 5% of degrees
- Engineering – 23% of degrees
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
31.3% of applicants were admitted.
How much does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo cost?
The average net price after grants is $16,665 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $13,596 and the full cost of attendance is $32,265.
How much do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn?
Students who enrolled earn a median of $90,768 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.
What is the graduation rate?
86% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.
Other colleges in San Luis Obispo
| College | Net price | Acceptance | Graduation | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · 7,180 students |
$12,124 | — | 48% | $46,047 |
| Laurus College San Luis Obispo, CA · Private for-profit · 1,116 students |
$22,733 | — | 43% | $30,896 |
| Central California School of Continuing Education San Luis Obispo, CA · Private for-profit · 41 students |
$11,840 | — | 86% | $41,223 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.