Back to schools
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo logo
Public University

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA

Official Website
Median Earnings
$90,768
10 years after enrollment
Grad Rate
85.7%
6-year completion
Students
21,996
Undergraduate enrollment
Admit Rate
31.3%
Acceptance rate

Annual Cost Breakdown

Full Sticker Price

$32,265/yr

Tuition + fees + room + board + books. What you pay with no financial aid.

Avg After Grants

$16,665/yr

What students who received federal/institutional grants actually paid on average. Varies by family income.

Tuition Only

In-state: $13,596

Out-of-state: $34,665

Tuition only — does not include room, board, or fees.

💡 The “Avg After Grants” is an average across all students who received aid — your actual cost depends on your family income. Use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after grants — by income bracket. Source: U.S. Dept of Education, AY 2022–23.

Under $30k/yr income$7,529/yr
$30k–$48k/yr income$7,253/yr
$48k–$75k/yr income$9,896/yr
$75k–$110k/yr income
Over $110k/yr income$27,772/yr

These are averages for aid recipients. Your exact cost depends on your specific FAFSA results. Estimate yours on studentaid.gov →

Admissions & Outcomes

Acceptance Rate
31.3%
1-Year Retention
95.5%
Pell Grant Recipients
19.2%
First-Generation Students
24.8%
In-State Tuition
$13,596/yr
Out-of-State Tuition
$34,665/yr

Acceptance Rate

31.3%

Moderately selective — competitive applicant pool.

Top Programs

Click 📋 to find the curriculum for each major

Computer Science
Engineering
Health Sciences
Biology / Life Sci

% of bachelor's degrees awarded in each field

How does this school fit you?

Score it against your family's priorities.

Get My Fit Score →
Loading program earnings…

Program Rankings

Official program-level rankings (US News, QS, Forbes) are not available through a free public API. The Earnings by Major section below is the best free proxy — it shows real median salaries 2 years after graduation for each program at this school, sourced directly from federal earnings data.

Frequently Asked Questions about California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

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

The average net price at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo after grants and scholarships is $16,665 per year. The full sticker price before aid is $32,265/yr. Your actual cost depends on your family income — use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

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

The 6-year graduation rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is 85.7%. The 1-year retention rate is 95.5%. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

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

The acceptance rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is 31.3%. Moderately selective — competitive applicant pool.

What do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn?

The median earnings of students who attended California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 10 years after enrollment is $90,768. Earnings vary significantly by major — see the Earnings by Major section above for program-specific data. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo a good school?

Whether California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is the right fit depends on your major, budget, and priorities. Key facts: 86% graduation rate, average net price of $16,665/year, median graduate earnings of $90,768 at 10 years. Use our free Fit Score quiz to see how this school ranks against your specific needs.

Data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, AY 2022–23 (updated November 2025). Earnings reflect median 10-year outcomes for all students who enrolled.