School Profile

California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

San Luis Obispo, CA

$5,742

Avg in-state tuition

$17,622

Avg out-of-state tuition

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About California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo

School Type: Public

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo is a large public university located on a suburban campus in San Luis Obispo, California. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,128, and admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 33%. The university offers 78 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 85%, and a student-faculty ratio of 21:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $5,742, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $17,622.

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Rankings

Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a competitive acceptance rate.

This school is a little more selective about its students. Competitive acceptance schools welcome 15-50% of all applicants.

33% of students were accepted during the 2021-2022 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

95% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2020 and returned in Fall 2021.

Graduation Rate Insight

Students graduate from this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This is typically an indication of a school's quality and means most students finish their degree in a timely manner.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

85% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2015. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Not required or recommended

High school transcript Required

High school rank Not required or recommended

Letter of recommendation Not required or recommended

High school GPA Required

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Required

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Not required or recommended

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Yes

Credit for qualified life experience* Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

ACT 25th-75th Percentile Currently Unavailable

SAT 25th-75th Percentile Currently Unavailable

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of more than 15,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

22k

Students enrolled

74%

Online student enrollment

21:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online Check Bold
On-campus Check Bold
Hybrid The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program. Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

White

53%

Hispanic

19%

Asian

13%

Two or more races

7%

Unknown

3%

Non-U.S. Citizen

2%

Black

1%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

49%

Socio-economic diversity

14% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

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Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Yes

Online Programs

2

Total Online Enrollment

16,528

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

98% On-campus

2% Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Certificates X Bold Not offered

Associate X Bold Not offered

Bachelor's X Bold Not offered

Graduate Certificate X Bold Not offered

Master's Check Bold 4% online

Doctorate X Bold Not offered

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Student Level In-state Out-of-state
Undergraduate $5,742 $17,622
Graduate $7,176 $16,680

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2021–2022 academic year.

Costs to Consider Price
Books and supplies $909
On-campus room and board $16,332
On-campus other expenses $2,244
Off-campus (not with family) room and board $16,332
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses $2,244
Off-campus (with family) other expenses $2,244

Total Undergraduate Cost

Total cost by category In-state Out-of-state
On-campus $25,227 $37,107
Off-campus without family $25,227 $37,107
Off-campus with family $8,895 $20,775

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

14%

State Grant Aid

27%

Institution Grant Aid

44%

Pell Grant

14%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $5,593
State Grant Aid $2,709
Institution Grant Aid $4,068
Pell Grant Aid $4,796

Financial Outlook

$19k

Average student debt after graduation

$55k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division I-FCS

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Beach Volleyball
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming Diving
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • All Track Combined

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2021-2022 academic year.

1

Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science And Related Fields

BA

MA

DOC

2

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

3

Architecture And Related Services

BA

MA

DOC

4

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies

BA

MA

DOC

5

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies

BA

MA

DOC

6

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

7

Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

8

Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

9

Communications Technologies/Technicians And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

10

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

11

Education

BA

MA

DOC

12

Engineering Technologies/Technicians

BA

MA

DOC

13

Engineering

BA

MA

DOC

14

Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians

BA

MA

DOC

15

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

16

Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

17

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

BA

MA

DOC

18

Health Professions And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

19

History

BA

MA

DOC

20

History

BA

MA

DOC

21

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services

BA

MA

DOC

22

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

BA

MA

DOC

23

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

24

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

BA

MA

DOC

25

Natural Resources And Conservation

BA

MA

DOC

26

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies

BA

MA

DOC

27

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology

BA

MA

DOC

28

Philosophy And Religious Studies

BA

MA

DOC

29

Physical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

30

Psychology

BA

MA

DOC

31

Public Administration And Social Service Professions

BA

MA

DOC

32

Security And Protective Services

BA

MA

DOC

33

Social Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

34

Visual And Performing Arts

BA

MA

DOC

Resource

Financial Aid Overview

Resource

Understanding Grants & Scholarships

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Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2021-2022]. In the absence of IPED data, information was collected directly from the school and is accurate as of the date of collection. Contact the school directly for the most current and complete information.