California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More
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$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
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 22,440, and admissions are very selective, with an acceptance rate of 38%. The university offers 95 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 83%, 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.
$5,742
Avg in-state tuition
$17,622
Avg out-of-state tuition
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Discover programs by subject area to find the best college for your future.
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Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.
- #6 Ranked in Colleges With the Best Return on Investment in 2023
- #10 Ranked in Best Industrial Engineering Programs
Admissions Breakdown
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.
Acceptance Rate Insight
38% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.
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 awardsRetention Rate Insight
94% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.
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 awardsGraduation Rate Insight
83% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. 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.
Test scores Required
High school rank Not required or recommended
High school GPA Required
Completion of college prep program Required
High school transcript Required
Letter of recommendation Not required or recommended
Open admission No
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Not required or recommended
SAT & ACT
Students who attend this school typically have higher standardized test scores than students at other schools.
While test scores can be an important aspect of college applications, schools determine admission based on several factors, and these test scores are only a suggested range.
Learn more about how we determine school awardsSAT 25th-75th Percentile 1220-1410
ACT 25th-75th Percentile 26-32
SAT & ACT
Students who attend this school typically have higher standardized test scores than students at other schools.
While test scores can be an important aspect of college applications, schools determine admission based on several factors, and these test scores are only a suggested range.
Learn more about how we determine school awardsSAT 25th-75th Percentile 1220-1410
ACT 25th-75th Percentile 26-32
Learning Environment
Student Body Stats
This school has a student body of more than 15,000 students.
Learn more about how we determine school awards22k
Number of Students Enrolled
100%
Online Student Enrollment
21:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Ways Students Can Learn
Demographics
White
54%
Hispanic
18%
Asian
13%
Two or more races
8%
Unknown
4%
Non-U.S. Citizen
2%
Black
1%
American Indian/Alaska Native
0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
Female student population
49%
Socio-economic diversity
15% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.
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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 2020–2021 academic year.
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Books and supplies | $888 |
| On-campus room and board | $15,694 |
| On-campus other expenses | $2,190 |
| Off-campus (not with family) room and board | $15,694 |
| Off-campus (not with family) other expenses | $2,190 |
| Off-campus (with family) other expenses | $2,190 |
Total Undergraduate Cost
| Total cost by category | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus | $24,514 | $36,394 |
| Off-campus without family | $24,514 | $36,394 |
| Off-campus with family | $8,820 | $20,700 |
Financial Breakdown
Students Receiving Aid
Federal Grant Aid
15%
State Grant Aid
27%
Institution Grant Aid
43%
Pell Grant
15%
Average Aid Awarded
Financial Outlook
$55k
Average salary 6 years after starting school
$20k
Average student debt after graduation
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Online Master’s Degree Programs
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How Does Online College Accreditation Work?Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2020-2021]. In the absence of IPEDS 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.