California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
A good fit for students who want a large campus community and in-state California residents. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $74,300 within 10 years; strong 86% graduation rate.
About This School
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California with approximately 21,996 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 31% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $16,665 per year. The graduation rate is 86%, and the typical graduate earns $74,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States, outside of the city limits of San Luis Obispo. Founded in 1901, it is the oldest of three polytechnic universities within the California State University system. Cal Poly emphasizes a "learn by doing" philosophy, integrating hands-on, practical experiences into its curriculum. As of fall 2025, Cal Poly had approximately 22,000 undergraduate and 900 graduate students.
This is a strong option for students drawn to hands-on, practical education — Cal Poly's "learn by doing" approach translates to real outcomes, with median earnings of $74,300 ten years out and a low median debt of just $15,396, making the math work unusually well. The 85% graduation rate and 95% freshman retention signal that students who get in tend to thrive and stick around. The catch: a 30% acceptance rate means you'll need a competitive application, and limited program flexibility can frustrate students who want to explore before committing to a major.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 18% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (21,996 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
1 Grand Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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