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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

San Luis Obispo, California · Public · Selective · CDS 2025-2026

Acceptance rate
30%
71,309 applicants
Median SAT
1330
Mid 50: 1240–1420
In-state tuition
$13,596
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$16,665
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo, California that admits about 30% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $16,665 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Mechanical Engineering and Architectural Sciences and Technology, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 87% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 30%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1330. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $16,665 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

64% of enrolled students at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.03, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
63.8%
3.75–3.99
21.7%
3.50–3.74
10.2%
3.25–3.49
3.3%
3.00–3.24
0.8%
2.50–2.99
0.3%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Calculate your child's GPA →

What does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo weight in admissions?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • • Rigor of secondary school record
  • • Academic GPA

SAT and ACT scores California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo typically admits

A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1240
50th percentile1330
75th percentile1420
% submitting SAT18.23%
ACT Composite
25th percentile28
50th percentile31
75th percentile33
% submitting ACT4.6%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-blind: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
  • • Policy detail: Not considered

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class45.71%
Top 25% of class79.24%
Top 50% of class97.01%
% submitting class rank9.2%

How much does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo actually cost?

Published tuition is $13,596 for in-state students and $34,665 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,792 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $16,665 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$6,838
Out-of-state tuition$20,968
Room and board$20,338
Average net price (after aid)$16,665
Application fee$70 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Regular admission
Regular deadlineNovember 30
Notification dateApril 1
Reply deadlineMay 1

Will my child graduate from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

These predict outcomes at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
95%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
87.3%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

The most popular undergraduate programs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Mechanical Engineering and Architectural Sciences and Technology. Across all programs, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo confers roughly 2,007 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $102,603 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Business Administration, Management and Operations753$102,603
Mechanical Engineering272$110,675
Architectural Sciences and Technology180—
Animal Sciences165$62,117
Computer Science163—
Biology, General160$73,422
Computer Engineering158$146,406
Psychology, General156$65,762
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo disclosed 78 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 20 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
78
3.5 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
1
0.05 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
20
0.91 per 1,000
Burglary
14
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 21,996 enrolled.

What is campus life like at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

About 39% of undergraduates at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 13% of men join a fraternity and 19% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
39%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
13%
of men
In sororities
19%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

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Common questions parents ask about California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

What GPA do I need for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

64% of enrolled students at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.03, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo typically admit?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.

How much does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo after grants and scholarships is $16,665 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,596 and $34,665 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo realistic for my child?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits 30% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $16,665 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo accepts about 30% of applicants out of roughly 71,309 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.

Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo test-optional?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.

What is the graduation rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

About 87% of students at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduate within six years. 95% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo look for in applicants?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo a public or private school, and where is it located?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California.

What are the most popular majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

The largest undergraduate majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Mechanical Engineering and Architectural Sciences and Technology. The school awards about 2,007 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo safe? What is its campus crime rate?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo reported 78 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

At California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 39% of undergraduates live on campus, 13% of men are in fraternities, 19% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers