California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public research university in San Luis Obispo, California, with about 21,996 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 31.32% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $90,768 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $13,596
- 2024 Average Net Price: $16,665 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 31.32% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 21,996 96.5% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 86.40%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 24.8%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 7.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 16.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 69.0%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,408
- Applicants (IPEDS): 63,736
- Room & Board: $18,792 annual estimate
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: what the data shows
Common questions about California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (ZIP 93407).
NCES locale classification: Rural remote.
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo public or private?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a Public institution.
How much does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo cost?
Published tuition: $13,596 in-state, $34,665 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $16,665.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $7,529 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,253 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,896 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $15,786 |
| $110,001+ | $27,772 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $54,384.
How hard is it to get into California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
Admission rate: 31.32%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
Total enrollment: 21,996 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 23,408 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,036 students.
About 97% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
150%-time completion rate: 86.40%.
First-year retention: 95.5%.
What do graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo earn?
Median earnings: $72,358 six years after entry; $90,768 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $18,500.
19.24% of students receive Pell grants.
What is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (777 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (309 completions)
- Computer Science (247 completions)
- Animal Sciences, General (189 completions)
- Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (172 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (170 completions)
- Psychology, General (168 completions)
- Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other (138 completions)
- Civil Engineering, General (126 completions)
- Construction Management, General (126 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 31.32%; completion rate 86.40%; median earnings $90,768 at 10 years; net price $16,665. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$13,596
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo was $13,596.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$16,665
2024 Value
In 2024 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $16,665.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$66,660 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$16,665 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$54,384 4-Year In-State Tuition
$138,660 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$18,792 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,119 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$33,507 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$134,028 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Financial Aid by Income Level
19.24% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
24.87% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $8,724 | $19,884 | $17,112 |
| 2014 | $8,918 | $20,078 | $18,047 |
| 2015 | $9,001 | $20,161 | $17,661 |
| 2016 | $9,075 | $20,235 | $18,845 |
| 2017 | $9,432 | $21,312 | $19,979 |
| 2018 | $9,816 | $21,696 | $20,592 |
| 2019 | $9,943 | $23,833 | $21,595 |
| 2020 | $10,071 | $25,971 | $20,677 |
| 2021 | $10,195 | $28,105 | $20,633 |
| 2022 | $10,319 | $28,229 | $18,766 |
| 2023 | $11,075 | $30,995 | $15,624 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
31.32% Acceptance Rate
63,736 Total Applicants
18,964 Students Admitted
5,278 First-Time Students Enrolled
27.83% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is selective, accepting about half of all applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo reported total enrollment of about 21,996 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 49% male and 51% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (47.6%), Hispanic or Latino (25.2%), and Asian (14.0%). About 19.24% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 24.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
96.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 2024 is 21,996 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 23,408 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,036 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
95.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 47.6%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
61.19% 100% Completion Time
86.40% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 61.19% of students graduating from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 55% male / 45% female
- Mechanical Engineering: 81% male / 19% female
- Computer Science: 80% male / 20% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Return on Investment
$18,500 Median Student Debt
$90,768 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
20.38% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1261.66% Return on Investment
2.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 85 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 777 completions
2. Mechanical Engineering: 309 completions
3. Computer Science: 247 completions
4. Animal Sciences, General: 189 completions
5. Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology: 172 completions
6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 170 completions
7. Psychology, General: 168 completions
8. Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other: 138 completions
9. Civil Engineering, General: 126 completions
Most popular programs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 69.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,673
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $11,438
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, CA, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science. Enrollment is approximately 21,996 students. Student body composition includes White (47.6%), Hispanic or Latino (25.2%), Asian (14.0%). It is selective, with an admission rate of 31.32%. The 150%-time completion rate is 86.40%. Approximately 19.24% of students receive Pell Grants. About 24.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 86.40% graduation rate, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates report median earnings of $90,768 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 85 distinct degree programs, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo located?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA.
What is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is 31.3% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 63,736 applicants and 18,964 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo cost?
Reported tuition is $13,596 and average net price is $16,665 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,792 annually.
What is the student body demographics at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo reports undergraduate enrollment of about 23,408 students, White (47.6%), Hispanic or Latino (25.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
About 24.8% of students at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo earn?
Median earnings are $72,358 six years after entry and $90,768 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
The 150%-time completion rate is 86.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $18,500.
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo public or private?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo an HBCU?
No. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo a tribal college?
No. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo reports 25.2% Hispanic enrollment share.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- San Luis Obispo, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.