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© 2025 Tuition Covered. All Rights Reserved.
OverviewTuition & CostsReturn on EducationAdmissionsMajors & DegreesStudentsReviews
  1. Colleges
  2. Catalog
  3. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Estimated Net Cost
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$17k

Estimated Post Grad Salary
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$77k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Excellent

Pros

  • Strong engineering programs

  • Beautiful campus with great weather

  • Hands-on learning and practical experience

  • Vibrant student community and activities

Cons

  • High cost of living in San Luis Obispo

  • Limited diversity in student population

  • Stressful workload for students

  • Parking can be a challenge on campus

Tuition and Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
Average Tuition, including fees before grants and scholarships.
 
$11,075$44,300
Room and Board
This is the average, based on staying on-campus
 
$17,220$68,880
Books and Supplies
The expenditure on books and supplies for an average student at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
 
$1,089$4,356
Other expenses
The amount of money (estimated by the financial aid office at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings.
 
$2,937$11,748
Sticker Price$32,321$129,284

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $408 per year over the next three years, reaching $11,987 in 2024, and $12,395 in 2025, and $12,803 in 2026.

Return On Education

Admissions

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 30%. The application deadline can be found on the institution's website.
30%Admission Rate
85%Graduation Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
ACT Range -
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application DeadlineSee college website
Early Decision DateSee college website
Early Action DateSee college website

Majors & Degrees

Explore the range of academic programs offered at this institution.
TechnicianBachelor's Degree
EngineeringBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
Aerospace•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Civil Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Computer Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Electrical Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Mechanical Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Science Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Environmental Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Material Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Construction Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Industrial Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Manufacturing Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
HistoryBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Political Science•Bachelor's Degree
LinguisticsBachelor's Degree
⌄
Romance Languages, Literatures & Linguistics•Bachelor's Degree
EducationMaster's Degree
⌄
Curriculum & Instruction•Master's Degree
Education Administration•Master's Degree
Special Education•Master's Degree
Teaching•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Physical Education•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
HealthBachelor's Degree
⌄
Nutrition•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Liberal ArtsBachelor's Degree
BiologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology•Bachelor's Degree
MathematicsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Statistics•Bachelor's Degree
AccountingMaster's Degree
Parks & RecreationBachelor's Degree
ChemistryBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
PhysicsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
SociologyBachelor's Degree
BusinessBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Taxation•Master's Degree
ManagementBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree

Student Life

Learn about the community, campus culture, and experiences that shape student life at this college.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment5,278
Full-time Students5,258
Part-time Students20

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:20:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

Tuition Covered Rating
(4.5)
Niche
(3.8)
US News
(4.9)

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Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

RoEDU
999
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo stands in the premier league, positioned within the top institutions for return on education, delivering unparalleled value and setting its graduates on a path to remarkable success.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Public
San Luis Obispo, CA
Suburb