California Polytechnic State University--San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University—San Luis Obispo is a public institution that was founded in 1901. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,963 (fall 2022), and the campus size is 9,178 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. California Polytechnic State University—San Luis Obispo's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities West, #1. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,924; out-of-state tuition and fees are $26,970.

California Polytechnic State University, also known as Cal Poly, is located in San Luis Obispo, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Graduate students at Cal Poly can pursue any of nearly 40 degrees, including those in the the Orfalea College of Business. Undergraduate students can choose from almost 70 majors, with Cal Poly’s highly ranked engineering programs as the most popular choice. There are more than 80 state-of-the-art laboratories and 50 clubs dedicated specifically to the Cal Poly College of Engineering. Students can also get involved with any of the other 300 student organizations, including Rose Float, which allows students to conceptualize and create a float for the New Year’s Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. For student athletes, Cal Poly offers dozens of intramural and club sports, along with the nearly 20 Cal Poly Mustangs varsity teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I Big West and Great West conferences. Notable alumni include retired pro football coach and NBC sports commentator John Madden and comedic musician “Weird Al” Yankovic.