California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · Small suburb
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 31.3%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 63,736
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 18,964
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 5,278
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 28%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 35%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 24%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- —
- SAT math, middle 50%
- —
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- —
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- — / —
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- not considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- not considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- not considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- not considered
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $32,265
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $13,596
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $34,665
- Median debt at graduation
- $18,500
- Students with federal loans
- 25%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 86%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 96%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $62,831
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $90,768
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 21,996
- Graduate students
- 1,036
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 19 : 1
- Women
- 51%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 19%
- Full-time faculty
- 69%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Jeffrey D. Armstrong
- Main phone
- (805) 756-1111
- Address
- 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Decision | November 30 | April 1 |
- Apply with
- Own application
- Application fee
- $70 (waivers available)
Testing: Apply via Cal State Apply, Oct. 1 to Nov. 30; no late applications
Financial aid policies
- FAFSA only, no CSS Profile
- Aid determined from FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 8,237 / — / 599
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: calpoly.edu, calpoly.edu, calpoly.edu, ir.calpoly.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.