Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- 4 Year
- SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
CollegeGrad School
The California State University
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- grade A minusOverall Grade
- 4 Year
- SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
- Rating 3.77 out of 5 4,016 reviews
Report Card
- Academicsgrade A minus
- Valuegrade A
- Diversitygrade A minus
- Campusgrade B minus
- Athleticsgrade B+
- Party Scenegrade A
- Professorsgrade B minus
- Locationgrade A minus
- Dormsgrade B minus
- Campus Foodgrade C minus
- Student Lifegrade A
- Safetygrade B
About
- Branch of
- The California State University
Athletic Division
NCAA Division I-FCS
Athletic Conference
Big Sky Conference
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.
Upcoming Events
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.
Admissions
Application Deadline
November 30
Acceptance Rate
30%
SAT Range
No data available
ACT Range
No data available
Application Fee
$70
SAT/ACT
Neither required nor recommended
High School GPA
Required
Accepts Common App
No
Will You Get In?
Will You Get Into Cal Poly?
Test Scores and High School GPA for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
See Other CollegesCost
Net Price
$19,184 / year
National
$15,523Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Average Total Aid Awarded
$10,065 / year
National
$7,535Students Receiving Financial Aid
57%
Scholarship
Academics
Professors
grade B 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 responses26%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want. 278 responses44%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage. 277 responsesMajors
Most Popular Majors
- Business766 Graduates
- Mechanical Engineering293 Graduates
- Biology204 Graduates
- Animal Sciences and Husbandry187 Graduates
- Computer Science178 Graduates
- Civil Engineering172 Graduates
- Psychology155 Graduates
- Architecture154 Graduates
- Liberal Arts and Humanities143 Graduates
- Electrical Engineering141 Graduates
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
0
Offers Online Courses
Yes
Online Certificate Programs
0
Online Associates Programs
0
Online Bachelor's Programs
0
Students
Full-Time Enrollment
19,925 Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
1,168
Undergrads Over 25
3%
Pell Grant
17%
Varsity Athletes
3%
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 responsesPoll
66%
of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life. 396 responsesAfter College
Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$66,900 / year
National
$33,028Graduation 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 responsesCal Poly San Luis Obispo Reviews
Rating 3.77 out of 5 4,016 reviews
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!
The sense of community at Cal Poly is strong. Students, faculty, and staff are welcoming and supportive. The university offers a plethora of clubs, organizations, and events that cater to a wide range of interests, fostering a vibrant campus life. The inclusive atmosphere makes it easy to feel at home and find your niche. Cal Poly's strong ties with various industries provide students with ample internship and job opportunities. The career fairs are well-organized and attract a diverse array of companies, helping students to network and secure positions in their fields of interest. One area that could use improvement is housing. On-campus housing is limited and can be expensive. As the student population grows, it would be beneficial for the university to expand its housing options and ensure they are affordable for all students. Off-campus housing in San Luis Obispo can also be pricey and competitive.
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!
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!