About

University Type

Public

University Type

Average Living Expenses

$18,783

Average Living Expenses

Established in 1901, California Polytechnic State University currently caters to the needs of over 20000 students through 6 colleges. The University has the second-largest campus in the US, and is spread across an area of 9178 acres. 

What is the Acceptance Rate at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo?

The California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo has an acceptance rate of 30%.

The University offers a large variety of courses including Environmental Plant Sciences, Agricultural Communication, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Engineering, BioResource Food Science, Forestry Nutrition, Parks, Environmental Management, and Protection, Tourism Administration. Moreover, some of the primary courses offered by the University are under the College of Food, Environmental Science and Agriculture.

The University offers 39 Master's degrees and 65 bachelor's degrees. Cal Poly had 840 graduate students and 21,447 undergraduate students in 2020. The academic focus of California Polytechnic State University is to combine professional and technical curriculums with humanities and arts.

Top Reasons to Study in the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The University is located in San Luis Obispo on the California Central Coast, about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The location of the University gives the students access to opportunities for hands-on research in winemaking, agriculture, and coastal ecosystems. 

  • The University also has proximity to tech and cultural hubs in Southern California and the Bay Area. California is a world leader in many areas and industries. 
  • The University also provides financial aid to the students. There are more than 800 California Polytechnic State University scholarships available excluding the outside awards and fellowships. The two types of scholarships available at the University are annual scholarships and endowed scholarships. In yearly scholarships, the award is priced at a minimum sum of USD 977 ( INR 76,521) for five years, making USD 4885 ( INR 3,82,649). An endowed scholarship of  USD 24420 ( INR 19,13,242) is provided as financial support to the students.
  • “Earn by Doing” sponsorship programmes of the University help the students fund their courses and work at on-campus facilities like workshops and laboratories. A technical work attracts a sponsorship award of USD 97701(INR 76,53,060), and a non-technical work of the University attracts a sponsorship award of USD 4886 (INR 3,82,594).

Courses

Cost of Studying at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Average tuition fee

High-end

0 Cost, 100% Coverage, Quick Funds
Just fill in your preferences ad to-do! Reach the best loan offer with Loan Finder

5000+ Students

Availed education loan

3000+ Cr

Loan amount sanctioned

100% Free

Assistance for loan process

Living expenses

Average living expenses (Bachelors)

$18,783

Average living expenses (Masters)

$18,783

Admissions at The California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)

30%

Application Fee

$70

How to Apply at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

  • First, you have to choose a major that best suits your educational goals, and then you have to review all the required documents to ensure that all the supporting documents and requirements are ready for upload.
  • The next step includes applying online on or before the deadline and the non refundable and nontransferable application fee. The school will send a letter to the applicant to acknowledge the receipt of the application.
  • You need to periodically login on the portal to view the unique requirements and confirm all the personal information at once.
  • Ensure that all the admission file requirements of the university are submitted before the deadline.
  • Finally, keep an open line of communication as the Admission Officer of the University will communicate the application status or any other update.

Note: The California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Application fees is USD 69 ( INR 5,356 ).

Documents Required to Apply to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

While the requirements for the admission may be according to the department, all California Polytechnic State University international students need to submit the following documents:

  • Personal statements.
  • Resume or CV.
  • Letters of Recommendation (LoRs)
  • An international academic evaluation of the candidate's credentials must also be submitted.
  • English proficiency test course of IELTS or TOEFL.
  • SAT or ACT scores which have been submitted electronically from the testing agency.
  • Official transcripts submitted by the institution in the native language and a certified English-translated version should be attached.

Exams Accepted By California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Here are some of the California Polytechnic State University admission requirements: 

  Courses

  Exams

  MS

GRE: 157/158+ on Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning

  B.E/B.Tech

  SAT: 28

  MIM

  GMAT: 600+

  GRE: 157/158+ on Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are

  MEM

  GMAT: 600+

  GRE: 157/158+ on Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning

  M.Arch

  GMAT: 600+

  GRE: 157/158+ on Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning

  BBA

  SAT: 28

  MBA/PGDM

  GMAT: 600+

  GRE: 157/158+ on Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning

  B.Sc.

  SAT: 28

English Proficiency Requirements

Students who want to get admission in California Polytechnic State University must score the following on the English Proficiency Test:

  English Proficiency Test

  Required Minimum

  IELTS

  6.5 and above

  TOEFL

  80.0 and above

ACT 

300
college finder

College Finder

Know universities that fit you best!

Take us through your profile, study preferences, strengths, and weaknesses and we’d find you universities that are tailor made for you, instantly!

Find Universities

Rankings for The California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

More rankings for this university

View More Rankings

Students California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

26

Yocketers applied

View Details

9

Yocketers admitted

View Details

366

Yocketers interested

View Details

Premium Yocketer profiles

Srishti Yadav

Srishti Yadav

Shortlisted

Food Science

Fall 2025

Akash Lamba

Akash Lamba

Shortlisted

Business Analytics

Fall 2024

Leela Krishna K Venkata

Leela Krishna K Venkata

Shortlisted

Computer Science

Spring 2023

Natasha Lobo

Natasha Lobo

Business Analytics

Fall 2025

View All Profiles

International Students

% of international students in the university

0.9

Total International Students in the university

524

Alumni at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The University has more than 150,000 alumni. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo notable alumni include Richard Bergquist (Founder of Peopleton), Tory Bruno (CEO of ULA), Noel Lee (founder of Monster Cable).

Yocket’s Counsel

Meet Our Counsellors

We got a team of 50+ experienced counsellors ready to help you!

Related Discussion for the Universities

Ask, post and discuss!

Have a question? Ask and discuss with your fellow aspirants!

Mahalakshmi Sridharan
Mahalakshmi Sridharan

3 years ago

UC santa cruz( ECE) or calpoly SLO( EE) Which one to chose
LikeCount Like
CommentButton 1 Comment
Abhishek Rozzer
Abhishek Rozzer

4 years ago

Which is better CSULA or CalPoly pomona? Course : MS in CS
Which is better CSULA or CalPoly pomona? Course : MS in CS
LikeCount Like
CommentButton Comment
Abhishek Rozzer
Abhishek Rozzer

4 years ago

Which is better CSULA or CalPoly pomona? Course : MS in CS
Which is better CSULA or CalPoly pomona? Course : MS in CS
LikeCount Like
CommentButton Comment
saiprakashreddy ragi
Saiprakashreddy Ragi

6 years ago

which option is better for MBA, Calpoly San Luis Obispo or Wichita State Univ, Kansas?
which option is better for MBA, Calpoly San Luis Obispo or Wichita State Univ, Kansas?
LikeCount Like
CommentButton 1 Comment
nagasai chandra
Nagasai Chandra

6 years ago

CalPoly or calstate fresno for MS in Computer Science?
CalPoly or calstate fresno for MS in Computer Science?
LikeCount Like
CommentButton Comment

Reviews for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Campus life

Number of campuses the university has
23

Campus locations
California

View on Google Earth

Transportation in the city

There are over 6500 bike rack spaces and 224 secure bike lockers, which are available in the University campus and help in commuting. 33% of faculty staff live within 5 miles of the University's campus, including 57% of the students. The SLO transit bus system of the city provides services to and from the campus. Bus services are also offered throughout the country by SLO regional transit authority.

Services offered by the university

  • The California Polytechnic State University has constructed additional dorms and has tried its best to make campus life more achievable.
  • The University has added new classrooms and offices for the Chemistry, Physics, and Social Science programmes, new laboratories, and a terrace for student study and meeting places.
  • From Ultimate Frisbee to Ballroom dance, distance timing, and surfing on the coast, there is a club for everyone. Because of the perfect climate, students can take full advantage of so many year-round outdoor activities.
  • The campus of the University offers a unique programme called Equine sciences. Students studying at the University can tailor their curriculum to fit more specifically to  equine-related careers such as assisted reproductive therapies or studying nutrition. 
  • The Equine Centre houses about 100 horses of all ages and breeds, and is used by the students for labs and riding.

Student life at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The University campus is committed to creating an equitable community for all the residents, guests, and staff of the institution. 

  • The University has the Mustangs Marching Band of over 200 students who play Basketball, Football, and Volleyball.
  • Student life on the campus offers  the opportunity to join more than 30 fraternities, 25+ sports clubs, and over 400 Student Organisations and clubs.

On campus accomodation at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The University provides accommodation facilities to all graduate and undergraduate students. The first-year university students live in university residence halls, and graduate students live in apartments on the campus with other new transfer students or continuing students. The University residents have access to the study lounge, kitchen, game room, and halls, which are also provided for triple occupancy accommodations. Amenities like Wi-Fi, weekly cleaning service of bathrooms, free laundry pool, table tennis, purified water fill, and study area are available on the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Campus.

  • Each bedroom is single occupancy and contains a desk and chair for four bedrooms. The living room includes hard surface linoleum, two coffee tables, two-floor lamps, and two personal sofas.
  • Foosball table, pool table, table tennis, vending area, group and private study areas, and game equipment for check out are also available on campus.
  • The University has various Residence halls like the Sierra Madre and Yosemite Residence Halls, Poly Canyon Village Apartments, and California Poly Lofts.
  • There are some meal plans available for the first-year students at the University.

Accommodation expense

  • The total housing cost for first-year academic students is USD 10101( 7,92,600 INR)
  • The rent for campus housing is USD 979 ( 76,838 INR)

Read More

Faculty Information

Jobs and Opportunities

FAQ

1. Is California Polytechnic State University a Public University?
The University has been ranked as the best public university by U.S. News and world report for the past 27 years.

2. What is unique about the California Polytechnic State University?
The University offers a unique learning experience to 20000 students with the motto of “Learn by Doing”.

3. What is the acceptance rate of California Polytechnic State University?
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Acceptance rate is 30%.

4. Does California Polytechnic State University have a good reputation?
The University has a solid reputation in Engineering, Business Administration, and Computer Science.

5. What GPA do you need for California Polytechnic State University?
California Polytechnic State University GPA requirement is a perfect 4.0