gradeA minus
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?Data Sources
Academics
gradeA minus
Value
gradeA
Diversity
gradeA minus
Campus
gradeB minus
Athletics
gradeB+
Party Scene
gradeA
Professors
gradeB minus
Location
gradeA minus
Dorms
gradeB minus
Campus Food
gradeC minus
Student Life
gradeA
Safety
gradeB
About
About Cal Poly...
- Public College
- SAT/ACT Optional
- Branch of
- The California State University
Athletic Division
NCAA Division I-FCS
Athletic Conference
Big Sky Conference
- California
From Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Since 1901, Cal Poly has been combining rigorous academics and real-world applications through hands-on learning. Encouraging thousands of our students toward successful careers ensures they play an active role in helping solve some of California’s – and the world’s – most complex challenges.
Cal Poly’s six academic colleges offer over 150 undergraduate majors and minors and over 50 graduate programs. By animating our curriculum, no matter the field of study, the best way to build new knowledge is to try it out for yourself. Learn By Doing ensures that when you graduate, you and your employers will agree that you are prepared.
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Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Rankings
Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
See All Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Rankings
Admissions
Application Deadline
Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.
November 30
Acceptance Rate
30%
SAT Range
No data available —
ACT Range
No data available —
SAT/ACT
Neither required nor recommended
High School GPA
Required
Accepts Common App
No
Read More About Admissions
Will You Get Into Cal Poly?
Test Scores and High School GPA for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo See Other Colleges
YouTube Video
Cost
Net Price
$19,184/ year
National
$15,523
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Average Total Aid Awarded
$10,065/ year
National
$7,535
Students Receiving Financial Aid
57%
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Academics
Professors
gradeB minus
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
20:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
85%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.244 responses
26%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.278 responses
44%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.277 responses
Read More About Academics
Majors
Most Popular Majors
766 Graduates
Mechanical Engineering
293 Graduates
Biology
204 Graduates
Animal Sciences and Husbandry
187 Graduates
Computer Science
178 Graduates
Civil Engineering
172 Graduates
155 Graduates
Architecture
154 Graduates
Liberal Arts and Humanities
143 Graduates
Electrical Engineering
141 Graduates
More
See All Majors
U.S. News & World Report ranked Cal Poly #1 Top Public Schools
Cal Poly's Learn by Doing process has kept it ranked as the top public, master's level university in the West for 31 years straight! The hands-on approach to learning allows students to explore their interests and begin building their careers from day one. With 96% of students employed in their major-related field, and 91% working within 9 months of graduating, Cal Poly is your gateway to success!
Online
Programs Offered Entirely Online
Total number of complete undergraduate programs offered online or through distance learning.
Offers Online Courses
College offers distance education courses.
Yes
Online Certificate Programs
Total number of certificate degree programs offered online or through distance education.
Online Associates Programs
Total number of associate degree programs offered online or through distance education.
Online Bachelor's Programs
Total number of bachelor's degree programs offered online or through distance education.
Explore All Online Majors
How Students Learn
Based on class setting of student enrollment.
Mix of Online and on Campus
14%
On Campus
85%
Online
0%
Students
Full-Time Enrollment
19,925Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
1,168
Undergrads Over 25
3%
Pell Grant
17%
Varsity Athletes
3%
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on
197 responses
Academically and socially balanced
50%
Active
24%
Busy
12%
Focused and determined
5%
Outgoing
3%
Similar
3%
Stressed
2%
More
Read More About the Students
Campus Life
Freshmen Live On-Campus
No data available —
Poll
63%
of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join.333 responses
Poll
66%
of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.396 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on
204 responses
Learn by doing
81%
Fast-paced
5%
Home away from home
3%
Everybody, please do not think differently
2%
Underrated
2%
Predominantly white institution
2%
The Mustang Way
2%
More
Read More About Campus Life
After College
Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$66,900/ year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
85%
National
49%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
95%
National
83%
90%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.151 responses
Read More About Life After Graduation
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Reviews
Rating 3.77 out of 5 4,014 reviews
Rating 5 out of 5
Cal Poly gives a lot of bang for your buck, especially as an amazing school everybody around the world wants to go to. The learn-by-doing attitude reigns true with most of the classes taken here. It may be tough for you or your child to feel welcome here at first but it gets better with time as you find people you enjoy. Classes are great and for every 5-9 professors there's 1 bad one. The school/area is more right-leaning than other schools in the state which may be your cup of tea. The Frat party culture is very toxic here, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you want to pay over 200-300 dollars a month. Plus partying is bad for your health :/. The area is wonderful for outdoors but the party life outside of frats is left much to be desired. There are minimal bars on the main street and no true club to go to in the area which is unfortunate. Christian life is superb here as there are a variety of different churches for people to try out! There isn't enough to do here but it's great!
- Senior
- 7 days ago
Rating 5 out of 5
Overall Experience: My time at Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo was amazing. As a student-athlete on the women's soccer team, I had the time of my life. The sense of community, academic support, and opportunities for growth were exceptional. I rate my experience a solid 10/10.
Suggestions for Improvement: While my experience was overwhelmingly positive, I believe more support for student-athletes and enhanced diversity efforts would further enrich the Cal Poly experience for all.
Thank you for allowing me to share my experience!
- Alum
- 2 months ago
Rating 4 out of 5
The Cal Poly experience in San Luis Obispo is renowned for its blend of academic rigor, hands-on learning opportunities, and vibrant campus life. Cal Poly, officially known as California Polytechnic State University, is highly regarded for its emphasis on applied learning and its strong programs in engineering, agriculture, architecture, business, and the sciences. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. Cal Poly's campus culture is characterized by its inclusive and supportive community, student involvement, and numerous campus organizations and clubs. The university hosts various events, performances, and activities throughout the year, fostering a lively and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the Cal Poly experience in San Luis Obispo is characterized by academic excellence, hands-on learning, a vibrant campus culture, and a strong sense of community, making it a rewarding and memorable educational journey for students.
- Senior
- 2 months ago
