School Overview
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) � San Luis Obispo is a selective public university in San Luis Obispo, CA. It is recognized for its excellent engineering programs. Cal Poly has another campus located in Pomona, CA. It is a public land-grant university located in San Luis Obispo, on the central coast of California. Commonly referred to as Cal Poly, it emphasizes and technical education rooted in the instruction of applied sciences and technical arts. Currenly, the university does not offers an extensive selection of online degrees, courses or distance education programs.
Cal Poly was established as a vocational high school in 1901. Today it is one of two polytechnic schools in the California State University (CSU) system. The school has a reputation for its “learn by doing” approach to education. Students are encouraged to fuse classroom ideas with real-world experience as an approach to problem solving.
Cal Poly is organized into six academic colleges, providing nearly 200 Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as well as several different teaching credentials. No doctoral programs are offered at Cal Poly.
Cal Poly is a participating member of the National Association of State Universities and Land-grant Colleges, as well as the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
General Information
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Admission Office Admissions Office, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0031 (805) 756-2311 Fax: (805) 756-5400 [email protected] Contact: James Maraviglia Admissions Officer |
Main Address 1 Grand Avenue San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0005 (805) 756-1111 www.calpoly.edu |
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Size Total undergrads: 18,516 First-time degree-seeking freshmen: 3,501 Degree-seeking undergrads: 18,400 Graduate enrollment: 955 Setting |
Degrees offered: |
Admissions Information
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Application Fee
College has an application fee: Yes |
Enrollment Rates
Percent applicants admitted: 34% |
Tuition & Fees
| Estimated Expenses for Academic Year | 2008-’09 | 2009-’10 | 2010-’11 | 2011-’12 | % change 2010-’12 |
| Tuition and fees | $4,689 | $5,035 | $6,498 | $6,480 | -0.28% |
| Books and Supplies | $1,386 | $1,566 | $1,638 | $1,674 | +2.20% |
| Living Arrangement – On Campus | |||||
| Room and Board | $8,793 | $9,369 | $9,846 | $10,071 | +2.29% |
| Other | $3,033 | $3,147 | $3,267 | $3,339 | +2.20% |
| Living Arrangement – Off Campus | |||||
| Room and Board | $8,793 | $9,369 | $9,846 | $10,071 | +2.29% |
| Other | $3,033 | $3,147 | $3,267 | $3,339 | +2.20% |
| Total Expenses | 2008-’09 | 2009-’10 | 2010-’11 | 2011-’12 | % change 2010-’12 |
| In-state On Campus | $17,901 | $19,117 | $21,249 | $21,564 | +1.48% |
| In-state Off Campus | $17,901 | $19,117 | $21,249 | $21,564 | +1.48% |
| In-state with Family | $6,075 | $6,601 | $8,136 | $8,154 | +0.22% |
Financial Aid
| Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students | ||||
| Type of Aid | Students | Percent | Amount | Average Per Student |
| All students financial aid | 1,502 | 44% | ||
| Grant or scholarship aid | 1,116 | 32% | $6,157,655 | $5,518 |
| • Federal grants | 352 | 10% | $1,713,441 | $4,868 |
| • Pell grants | 351 | 10% | $1,185,441 | $3,377 |
| • Other federal grants | 349 | 10% | $528,000 | $1,513 |
| Local and state government scholarships or grants | 802 | 23% | $2,307,649 | $2,877 |
| Institutional scholarships or grants | 633 | 18% | $2,136,565 | $3,375 |
| Student loan financial aid | 868 | 25% | $4,224,285 | $4,867 |
| • Federal student loans | 857 | 25% | $3,593,371 | $4,193 |
| • Other student loans | 54 | 2% | $630,914 | $11,684 |
All Degrees and Programs
| Program Completions for Most Recent Year | BA/BS | MA/MS | Doctor | AA/AS | CERT |
| Total of All Education Programs | 4038 | 420 | – | – | – |
| Agriculture | 478 | 2 | – | – | – |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 212 | 2 | – | – | – |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 20 | – | – | – | – |
| Agronomy and Crop Science | 9 | – | – | – | – |
| Animal Sciences | 106 | – | – | – | – |
| Dairy Science | 20 | – | – | – | – |
| Food Science | 16 | – | – | – | – |
| Horticultural Science | 59 | – | – | – | – |
| ornamental Horticulture | 29 | – | – | – | – |
| Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Soil Science and Agronomy | 5 | – | – | – | – |
| Architecture and Related Services | 270 | 30 | – | – | – |
| Architecture | 183 | 11 | – | – | – |
| City/urban, Community and Regional Planning | 37 | 19 | – | – | – |
| Landscape Architecture | 50 | – | – | – | – |
| Area, Cultural, Ethnic, Gender, and Group Studies | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Biology, Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 225 | 13 | – | – | – |
| Biochemistry | 30 | – | – | – | – |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 180 | 13 | – | – | – |
| Ecology | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Microbiology | 13 | – | – | – | – |
| Business, Management, Administration and Marketing Services | 621 | 86 | – | – | – |
| Accounting | – | 22 | – | – | – |
| Business Administration and Management | 582 | 59 | – | – | – |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other | 39 | 5 | – | – | – |
| Communication and Journalism Studies | 65 | – | – | – | – |
| Journalism | 65 | – | – | – | – |
| Communications Technologies/technicians and Support Services | 73 | – | – | – | – |
| Graphic Communications | 73 | – | – | – | – |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services | 62 | 20 | – | – | – |
| Computer Science | 62 | 20 | – | – | – |
| Education | 82 | 55 | – | – | – |
| Agricultural Teacher Education | 40 | – | – | – | – |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching | 42 | – | – | – | – |
| General Education | – | 55 | – | – | – |
| Engineering | 955 | 160 | – | – | – |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/space Engineering | 55 | 10 | – | – | – |
| Agricultural Engineering | 19 | – | – | – | – |
| Architectural Engineering | 60 | – | – | – | – |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | 23 | 12 | – | – | – |
| Civil Engineering | 154 | 28 | – | – | – |
| Computer Engineering | 53 | – | – | – | – |
| Computer Software Engineering | 8 | – | – | – | – |
| Construction Engineering | 118 | – | – | – | – |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 127 | 30 | – | – | – |
| Engineering Science | 30 | – | – | – | – |
| Engineering | – | 54 | – | – | – |
| Environmental/environmental Health Engineering | 28 | – | – | – | – |
| Industrial Engineering | 50 | 3 | – | – | – |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 12 | – | – | – | – |
| Materials Engineering | 36 | – | – | – | – |
| Mechanical Engineering | 182 | 23 | – | – | – |
| English Language and Literature/letters | 142 | 9 | – | – | – |
| English Language and Literature | 83 | 9 | – | – | – |
| Rhetoric and Composition | 59 | – | – | – | – |
| Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 10 | – | – | – | – |
| Foreign Languages and Literatures | 10 | – | – | – | – |
| Health Services/allied Health/health Sciences | 104 | – | – | – | – |
| Dietetics/dietitian | 104 | – | – | – | – |
| History | 53 | 4 | – | – | – |
| History | 53 | 4 | – | – | – |
| Human Services | – | 13 | – | – | – |
| Public Administration | – | 13 | – | – | – |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 112 | – | – | – | – |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other | 13 | – | – | – | – |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/liberal Studies | 99 | – | – | – | – |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 55 | 5 | – | – | – |
| Mathematics | 37 | 5 | – | – | – |
| Statistics | 18 | – | – | – | – |
| Natural Resources and Conservation | 72 | 4 | – | – | – |
| Forestry | 40 | 4 | – | – | – |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other | 32 | – | – | – | – |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies | 211 | 10 | – | – | – |
| Health and Physical Education/fitness | 123 | 10 | – | – | – |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | 88 | – | – | – | – |
| Physical Sciences | 57 | 2 | – | – | – |
| Chemistry | 17 | – | – | – | – |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/geosciences, Other | 12 | – | – | – | – |
| Physical Sciences | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Physics | 27 | – | – | – | – |
| Polymer Chemistry | – | 2 | – | – | – |
| Psychology | 124 | 7 | – | – | – |
| Psychology | 124 | 7 | – | – | – |
| Social Sciences | 173 | – | – | – | – |
| Economics | 28 | – | – | – | – |
| Political Science and Government | 70 | – | – | – | – |
| Social Sciences | 75 | – | – | – | – |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 91 | – | – | – | – |
| Drama and Dramatics/theatre Arts | 15 | – | – | – | – |
| Fine/studio Arts | 64 | – | – | – | – |
| Music | 12 | – | – | – | – |
Undergraduate Majors
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Agriculture & Related Sciences Agribusiness Operations B Architecture & Related Programs Architecture B Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies Comparative ethnic studies B Arts, Visual & Performing Art – General B Biological & Biomedical Sciences Biochemistry B Business, Management, & Marketing Accounting B Communications & Journalism Communications/Rhetoric B Communications Technologies Graphic Communications B Computer & Information Sciences Computer Science B Education Agricultural Education B Engineering Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering B English Language & Literature English Language & Literature – General B Family & Consumer Sciences Child Development B Foreign Language & Literature Foreign Language & Literature – General B History History – General B Liberal Arts & Sciences Liberal Arts & Sciences B Mathematics Mathematics – General B Natural Resources & Conservation Environmental management & protection B Parks, Recreation & Fitness Exercise Sciences B Philosophy & Religion Philosophy B Physical Sciences Chemistry B Psychology Psychology – General B Social Sciences Economics B |
Degree levels for each major are designated by the following letters:
B = Bachelor’s degree C = Certificate or diploma |
*We do not guarantee the accuracy of information on this page. All information is subject to change. You should confirm all information with a college admissions officer.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Highlights
School Information
| Phone Number: | (805) 756-1111 |
| Website: | calpoly.edu |
| Type of School: | 4-year, Public |
| Apply Online: | www2.calstate.edu/apply |
| Address: | 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 |
| Setting: | Suburb: Small |
| Campus Housing: | Yes |
Students & Programs
| Student Population: | 21,426 |
| 6-yr Graduation Rate (Bachelor's): | 82% |
| Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 20 to 1 |
| Distance Learning Programs: | Yes |
| Distance Learning Students*: | 19,727 (92% of total students) |
| Degree Levels Offered: | Bachelor's, Master's |
* Students taking at least 1 distance learning course
Tuition & Financial Aid*
| In-state Tuition: | $9,943 |
| Out-of-state Tuition: | $23,833 |
| % of Students Receiving Financial Aid: | 63% |
| Avg. Amount of Grant or Scholarship Aid Awarded: | $5,867 |
* Full-time beginning undergraduate students. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Programs
See the degree programs that are offered at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
| Degree Name | Cert | Assoc | Bach | Mast | Doct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, Agriculture Operations and Related Sciences | 13 | 4 | |||
| Architecture and Related Services | 3 | 2 | |||
| Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies | 1 | ||||
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 3 | 1 | |||
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services | 2 | 5 | |||
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs | 2 | ||||
| Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services | 1 | 1 | |||
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services | 1 | 1 | |||
| Education | 2 | 4 | |||
| Engineering | 1 | 15 | 10 | ||
| Engineering Technologies and Engineering-related Fields | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| English Language and Literature/Letters | 2 | 1 | |||
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | 1 | ||||
| Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | ||||
| Health Professions and Related Programs | 1 | 1 | |||
| History | 1 | 1 | |||
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Service | 2 | ||||
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2 | ||||
| Mathematics and Statistics | 2 | 1 | |||
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 2 | 1 | |||
| Natural Resources and Conservation | 3 | 1 | |||
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 2 | 1 | |||
| Philosophy and Religious Studies | 1 | ||||
| Physical Sciences | 3 | 2 | |||
| Psychology | 1 | 1 | |||
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions | 2 | ||||
| Social Sciences | 5 | 2 | |||
| Visual and Performing Arts | 4 | ||||
| Grand total | 2 | 75 | 46 |
* Based on programs that produced 2019-2020 graduates
Tuition & Financial Aid
See what it costs to enroll at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and how many students are receiving scholarships, grants, or loans as financial aid to help cover the costs of tuition.
Undergraduate Student Tuition
Average tuition and fees for academic year:
| Tuition and Fees | 2019-2020 |
|---|---|
| In-state | $9,943 |
| Out-of-state | $23,833 |
| Books and supplies | $1,941 |
Graduate Student Tuition
Average tuition and fees for academic year:
| Tuition and Fees | 2019-2020 |
|---|---|
| In-state | $11,377 |
| Out-of-state | $20,881 |
Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2018-2019
Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | Number Receiving Aid | % Receiving Aid | Avg. Amt. of Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any student financial aid | 2,782 | 63% | – |
| Grant or scholarship aid | 2,228 | 51% | $5,867 |
| Student loan aid | 1,311 | 30% | $5,873 |
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | Number Receiving Aid | % Receiving Aid | Avg. Amt. of Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant or scholarship aid | 11,136 | 53% | $6,768 |
| Federal student loans | 6,105 | 29% | $6,032 |
Admissions & Enrollment
See the admission requirements for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Find out how many students apply and how many are accepted. View a graphical breakdown of the gender, age, and ethnicity of currently enrolled California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo students.
Undergraduate Admissions, Fall 2020
| Total | Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of applicants | 54,072 | 28,008 | 26,064 | Percent admitted | 100% | 25% | 32% |
| Percent admitted who enrolled | 9% | 8% | 9% |
Admissions Considerations
| Required | Recommended | Optional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary school GPA | |||
| Secondary school rank | |||
| Secondary school record | |||
| Completion of college-preparatory program | |||
| Recommendations | |||
| Formal demonstration of competencies | |||
| Admission test scores | |||
| Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.) | |||
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language |
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Enrollment, Fall 2020
| Total Enrollment | 21,426 |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate enrollment | 20,503 |
| Graduate enrollment | 923 |
Undergraduate Attendance
Undergraduate Gender
Undergraduate Age
Undergraduate Race/Ethnicity
Undergraduate Distance Education
Undergraduates taking 100%, Some, or No Distance Education
Graduate Distance Education
Graduate students taking 100%, Some, or No Distance Education
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Accreditation
This institution is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission
Specialized institution accreditations:
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Dietetics (DIETI) - Dietetic Internship
- Didactic Program in Dietetics
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
- Art and Design (ART) - Degree-granting schools and departments and non-degree-granting programs
- National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation
- Music (MUS) - Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and/or non-degree-granting programs
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Teacher Education (TED) - Baccalaureate and graduate programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools
*General information for this school has been gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) database, a service provided by the U.S. Department of Education. CollegeAtlas.org does not guarantee the accuracy of information on this page. All information is subject to change. You should confirm all information with a college admissions officer.
If you work for a school and would like to update your data please contact us.