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Edited
Overview
One of two polytechnics in the CSU System, the California Polytechnic State University, more commonly known as Cal Poly, has a competitive admissions process for its programs, which focus in arts, technology, and sciences. The university is located in San Luis Obispo, 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean and smackdab between LA and San Francisco. The 9,678-acre land holding includes three ranches, the Valencia Property, and, of course, the 1,321-acre campus offering 65 bachelor’s, 84 minors, and 39 master’s degrees. Cal Poly’s philosophy is “Learn By Doing,” and many classes include a significant portion of laboratory and field work in their curriculums.
Acceptance Rate:
30%
Average Net Price:
$20,491
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
4.0
Average ACT Composite
30
Average SAT Composite
1342
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $12,161 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $33,230 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $18,792 |
| Books and Supplies | $1119 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
74%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
18%
Average Aid Per Year
$12,707
18%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,324
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$7,705
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
37%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$4360
20%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,324
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$118,709,032
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$17,274,354
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
28%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,008
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$17,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$186
Students receiving federal loans
28%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,069
Average Other Loans Per Year
$18,998
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
63736
Students Applied
16%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
916
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
No
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
No
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Regular Decision | November 30 | May 1 |
Application Fee
$70
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
42%
Submitting ACT
80%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 30
Average SAT Composite: 1342
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
4.0
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
22,485
Total Number of Undergrads
21,559
0
100
57%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
85%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
18:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- ROTC Army
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
99
Faculty Overview
0
100
59%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
Countries Represented
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
25%
Student Organizations
393
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
32%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
39%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Mustangs
School Colors
green and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Big Sky Conference
Total Male Athletes
326
Total Female Athletes
148
Intramural Sports
16
Sports Club
36
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Wrestling
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Beach Volleyball
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$74,300
Top 5 Cities
San Francisco
San Luis Obispo
Los Angeles
San Diego
Sacramento
Top 5 Employers
Apply
Oracle
Cisco
LinkedIn
Amazon
Top 5 Sectors
Engineering
Agriculture
Science/Math
Liberal Arts
Architecture
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$17,000
Loan Default Rate
2%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$186
REVIEWS
All ReviewsAlyssa's Review
from Huntington Park, CA
Zoe's Review
from Santa Barbara, CA
Justin's Review
from Boulder Creek, CA
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