Founded in 1901, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is a nationally ranked public university that prides ourselves on the individual success of our students. For the 25th consecutive year, Cal Poly has been named the best public, master’s-level university in the West by U.S. News & World Report.
Our Learn by Doing approach sets us apart from other colleges and universities. As a Cal Poly student, you will have access to the powerful combination of academic expertise and hands-on experience. At Cal Poly, most courses are taught (by professors) in small classrooms—not large lecture halls.
Cal Poly boasts a 19:1 student to faculty ratio. As a result, Cal Poly offers a close community of motivated students and professors who will provide the inspiration and support you’ll need to keep you academically and personally challenged.
Within one year of graduation, 89% of our graduates are employed full time or are in graduate school. No matter what path you choose, we will help make sure that you are ready when you get there. To learn more, visit our Viewbook at https://viewbook.calpoly.edu/
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Contact
James Maraviglia
Vice Provost for Enrollment Development and Chief Marketing Officer
Vice Provost for Enrollment Development and Chief Marketing Officer
Address
Office of Admissions
1 Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0031
1 Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0031
Phone
805-756-2913
Email
admissions@calpoly.edu
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
Performing Arts Center
Recreation Center
Julian's Cafe Bistro
Spanos Stadium
University Union
University Bookstore
Recreation Center
Julian's Cafe Bistro
Spanos Stadium
University Union
University Bookstore
Most Popular Places Off Campus
Farmer's Market
Avila Beach
Pismo Beach
Hearst Castle
Montana de Oro
Avila Beach
Pismo Beach
Hearst Castle
Montana de Oro
Campus Tours
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Mon.-Fri. at 11:00 a.m.
Average Length: 2 hours
Dates: Year-round
Times: Mon.-Fri. at 11:00 a.m.
Average Length: 2 hours
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
No
Information Sessions
Available
Times
Mon.-Fri., 1:00 p.m. (after campus tour)
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
N/A
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Varies
Arrangements
Contact department or college prior to visit.
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
City buses run to campus approximately every 20 minutes - free for students, faculty and staff. Buses also make runs to campus from outlying areas. We have taxi companies that are available 24 hours a day. There is also an AMTRAK station at the east end of town that has several daily runs into town. The closest airport is a couple of miles outside the town's center and connects with major cities.
Driving Instructions to Campus
Heading south on U.S. 101, take the Cal Poly/Grand Avenue exit. Turn right at the top of the hill, then left and come up to Grand Avenue. Take a right on Grand Avenue, and four or five blocks up is the entrance to Cal Poly. Stop at the information kiosk on the right-hand side of the street, purchase a parking pass, and the attendant will instruct you where to park.
Heading North on U.S. 101, take the Grand Avenue exit and turn left onto Grand Avenue. Four or five blocks up is the entrance to Cal Poly. Stop at the information kiosk on the right-hand side of the street, purchase a parking pass, and the attendant will instruct you where to park.
Save SchoolAdmissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
The undergraduate application for Fall 2018 is open from October 1–November 30. Beginning this year, all California State Universities (CSU) apply via Cal State Apply (https://calstate.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login).
When applying, we recommend you take the following steps:
- Explore our majors and choose a program of study at https://viewbook.calpoly.edu/academics/
- Cal Poly requires you to declare a major on your application so that you can begin intensive study in your major on the first day of class. This means you’ll receive two more years of hands-on experience in your major compared to most other college students.
- Review our selection criteria for Freshmen or Transfer students at https://viewbook.calpoly.edu/apply/
- Submit your application online with your $55 application fee.
- Add http://www.calpoly.edu/ to your contact list. Email is our primary form of communication and how we will keep in contact with you throughout the admissions process.
Overview
Applicants: 54,663
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Average HS GPA: 4.00
SAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
620 - 700
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
620 - 730
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
26 - 32
Testing Policies
Yes
Yes
Standardized testing policy for use in admission
Requires applicants to submit either the SAT or ACT
Deadlines
Regular — November 30
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
You will find evidence of our Learn by Doing philosophy everywhere on campus — from our course curricula to our student life programs. Our classes emphasize activities and discussions, lab and field work, hands-on projects and collaborative work experiences. We encourage student involvement in the research process from hypothesis through peer review and publication. This opportunity for undergraduate research sets us apart! Students are encouraged to participate in personal and professional development programs such as Study Abroad, volunteer work and internships.
Cal Poly offers 63 bachelor's degree program and 79 minors. Our school year consists of four 11-week terms.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Agricultural Business and Management, General
Agricultural Communication/Journalism
Agricultural Mechanization, General
Agronomy and Crop Science
Animal Sciences, General
Dairy Science
Food Science
Soil Science and Agronomy, General
Architecture and Related Service
Architecture
City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
Landscape Architecture
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, and Gender Studies, Other
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biochemistry
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Business Administration and Management, General
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Journalism
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
Graphic Communications, General
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science
Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst
Education
Agricultural Teacher Education
Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching
Engineering
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
Agricultural/Biological Engineering and Bioengineering
Architectural Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Civil Engineering, General
Civil Engineering, Other
Computer Engineering, General
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
Engineering Science
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General
Rhetoric and Composition
Foreign languages, literatures, and Linguistics
Foreign Languages and Literatures, General
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
Dietetics/Dietitian (RD)
History
History, General
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics, General
Statistics, General
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Natural Resources and Conservation
Forestry, General
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Health and Physical Education, General
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Philosophy
Physical Sciences
Chemistry, General
Geology/Earth Science, General
Physics, General
Psychology
Psychology, General
Social Sciences
Economics, General
Political Science and Government, General
Social Sciences, Other
Sociology
Visual and Performing Arts
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
Fine/Studio Arts, General
Music, General
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
19:1
Total Faculty
1,486
with Terminal Degree
870
877
Men
609
Women
52
International
Most frequent class size
20 - 29
Most frequent lab / sub section size
10 - 19
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
48%
Graduate in 5 years
77%
Graduate in 6 years
82%
Majors
-
AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS, AND RELATED SCIENCES.
Agricultural Business and Management, General.
Agricultural Communication/Journalism.
Agricultural Mechanization, General.
Agronomy and Crop Science.
Animal Sciences, General.
Dairy Science.
Food Science.
Soil Science and Agronomy, General.
-
ARCHITECTURE AND RELATED SERVICES.
Architecture.
City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning.
Landscape Architecture.
-
AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other.
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology.
-
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Business Administration and Management, General.
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other.
-
COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Journalism.
-
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Graphic Communications, General.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst.
-
EDUCATION.
Agricultural Teacher Education.
Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching.
-
ENGINEERING.
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering.
Agricultural Engineering.
Architectural Engineering.
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
Civil Engineering, General.
Civil Engineering, Other.
Computer Engineering, General.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering Science.
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering.
Industrial Engineering.
Manufacturing Engineering.
Materials Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
Rhetoric and Composition.
-
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Foreign Languages and Literatures, General.
-
HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Dietetics/Dietitian.
-
HISTORY.
History, General.
-
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other.
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
Statistics, General.
-
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
-
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Forestry, General.
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other.
-
PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.
Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General.
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies.
-
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy.
-
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Physics, General.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Economics, General.
Political Science and Government, General.
Social Sciences, Other.
Sociology.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Music, General.
Degrees
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Burt Rutan
Futuristic Aircraft designer
Bill Swanson
Raytheon Chairman & CEO
Victor Glover
NASA Astronaut
George Ramos
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Reporter and Columnist
Kathleen Holmgren
Sun Microsystems senior VP
John Madden
Pro Football Hall of Fame coach
Weird Al Yankovic
Singer
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
48%
Graduate in 5 years
77%
Graduate in 6 years
82%
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
College is likely to be one of the most important purchases you will make and could be your first significant financial obligation. With smart planning at the early stages of your education, you can help position yourself well for decades to come. Cal Poly’s Financial Aid office is here to help you navigate the path.
Estimates for registration fees, books and supplies, housing and other costs of attendance for the 2017-18 academic year can be found below.
CA Resident
Registration Fees*: $9,432
Room and board: $13,134
Books and supplies: $1,884
Other miscellaneous fees: $2,775
Total: $27,225
Out-of-State Resident
Tuition and Registration Fees**: $21,312
Room and board: $13,134
Books and supplies: $1,884
Other miscellaneous fees: $2,775
Total: $39,105
International
Tuition, Fees and Insurance: $23,349
Room and board: $13,134
Books and supplies: $1,884
Other miscellaneous fees: $2,703
Total: $41,070
* Fees are based on full-time enrollment.
**Non-resident tuition is based on 15 units per quarter (fall, winter, and spring) at $264 per unit.
Actual amount will vary depending on quarterly enrollment.
Registration fees are estimated and subject to state budget approval.
Financial Aid
Our Financial Aid office can help you find ways to make your university education affordable. Cal Poly offers different types of financial aid including:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Loans
- Federal Work-Study
- Special Programs
- Additional Sources
The types and amounts of aid Cal Poly awards depends on your availability of funds, your enrollment status, and your financial need. To learn more visit a https://financialaid.calpoly.edu/
Dates
Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Mar 15
Required Forms
FAFSA
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$3,456
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$3,648
Average Need-Based Loan
$4,052
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
42%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$22,298
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$3,456
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition (In-State)
$5,742
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$264
Required Fees
$4,074
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,941
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
$5,274
Transportation for Commuters
$1,284
On-Campus Room and Board
$13,796
Comprehensive Fee
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Federal
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Federal TEACH Grant; California Dream Grant
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Other
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
College/university loans from institutional funds
Federal Perkins Loans
Federal Perkins Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
Our student body (Fall 2016) is approximately 21,306 with 1,439 combined faculty. The ratio of men to woman students is 52.8% to 47.2% respectively. Cal Poly’s in-state students make up 83.3% of our population, 15.7% are out-of-state students, and 1% are international students.
Cal Poly receives nearly 60,000 applicants each year for an incoming class of approximately 5,200 students.
Cal Poly has more than 300 student organizations and clubs to serve a wide range of interests, including academic, professional, service, cultural, religious, artistic, athletic, Greek Life and more. If there isn't one that matches what you're looking for, our Club Services can help you start a new club.
Getting involved in a student club or organization can enhance your overall experience and help you increase your campus support network, hone your leadership and interpersonal skills, and develop new interests and opportunities.
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
21,037
Demographics
13.27%
Asian
17.08%
Hispanic
54.34%
Caucasian
4.40%
Unknown
2.09%
International
2% female
98% male
14% are out of state
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Our campus is located in San Luis Obispo on California’s beautiful Central Coast, about 230 miles south of San Francisco and 200 miles north of Los Angeles. Cal Poly maintains a strong connection to industry in both the Bay Area and Southern California, allowing for greater opportunities for your future.
San Luis Obispo (SLO) is an ideal home away from home. Known as the “Happiest City in America,” SLO is a classic college town with amazing natural surroundings. There’s plenty of sunshine, and a wide variety of restaurants, shopping, culture and outdoor activities for you to enjoy.
Living on campus gives you a strong connection to the campus community and easy access to academic and health resources, recreational activities, dining, student clubs and organizations, friends and entertainment. Because we believe that this will help lead to your overall success, Cal Poly requires all freshmen to live on campus.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Balancing your studies with a great social life is key to succeeding at Cal Poly. Each of our six college have dozens of labs that support our Learn by Doing method by offering advanced technological systems that allow students to link theory with application and practice. Our Engineering department alone has 80 labs.
In addition, our state-of-the-art Recreation center, an active athletic program, and a wide variety of on-campus events, means there is always something new to discover and make your own at Cal Poly.
Notable Facilities Include:
Robert E. Kennedy Library: Our five-story, 208,433 sq. ft. on-campus library boasts 45 staff and faculty, 147 student assistants, 20 group study rooms, 337 public computers, 71 laptops and 60 iPads loaned 41,228 times. It has a 1.6M collections budget, 195,000 eBooks, 605,000 eBook downloads, 45,000+ online journals, 799,000 full-text article views, 2.6 million downloads from DigitalCommons@CalPoly.
Christopher Cohan Center Performing Arts Center is located on the Cal Poly campus is comprised of four specific areas, a classroom, two smaller performance spaces, and the breathtaking Sidney Harman Hall. This facility is considered one of the top college-affiliated Performing Arts Centers in the country.
ASI Recreation Center: Explore 165,000 sq.ft.of recreational space that includes three separate exercise areas filled with state-of-the-art weight and cardio equipment. There is also an Olympic-sized 20 lane lap pool and at 3,500 sq.ft. leisure pool.
Julian A. McPhee University Union: the gathering place for the Cal Poly community, the home to university activities, quality services and unique programs. Campus life happens here.
Alex G. Spanos Stadium: With picturesque surroundings including Bishop’s Peak and San Luis Mountain to the west, the heart of the Cal Poly campus, Alex G. Spanos Stadium is arguably the most scenic location in America to watch football and soccer. With Cal Poly’s rich football and soccer heritage, fans are regularly treated to raucous games and matches fueled by the “Pride of the Pacific”, the Mustang Marching Band, which cajoles and entertains fans in the shadow of a bronze Mustang statue known as Unbridled Spirit.
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
32%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
First-Year Students living on campus
91%
Campus Environment
Suburban
65/99
Housing Options
Apartment Single
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
International Student
Other
Theme Housing
Other
Theme Housing
Special Needs Admissions
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
402
Number of Honor Societies
20
Number of Social Sororities
17
Number of Religious Organizations
18
7% join a fraternity
11% join a sorority
Sports
Athletic Division
Division I
Men's Sports (Mustangs)
11 Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Football
Golf
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Wrestling
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Football
Golf
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Wrestling
Women's Sports (Mustangs)
10 Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Cross Country
Diving
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
Day Care
Health
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered on-campus
Health
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered on-campus
Sustainability
96/99
AASHE STARS® rating
SILVER
School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Yes
Sustainability-focused degree available
Yes
School employs a sustainability officer
Yes
Public GHG inventory plan
Yes
% food budget spent on local/organic food
2%
Available Transportation Alternatives
Car Sharing Program
Yes
Carpool/Vanpool Matching Program
Yes
Free Or Reduced Price Transit Passes And/Or Free Campus Shuttle
Yes
Indoor And Secure Bike Storage, Shower Facilities, And Lockers For Bicycle Commuters
Yes
Reduced Parking Fees For Car And Van Poolers
Yes
School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
Yes
School Developed Bicycle Plan
Yes
School Offers A Telecommute Program For Employees
Yes
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2023.
Campus Security Report
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
100
Fee for Network Use
No
Partnerships with Technology Companies
Yes
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
Dell, Apple
