California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, United States
- Cost of Living$ 28,896
- Tuition Fee From$ 2,800
- Country Rank-
- Batch Strength22,287
- Global Diversity2%
- Gender Ratio48 : 52
Overview
About
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (also known as Cal Poly) is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California. Moreover, it is part of the California State University (CSU) system and is one of two polytechnic universities in the CSU system. Cal Poly is known for its "learn by doing" approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world experience.
The history of the university is brief, after a campaign by journalist Myron Angel, Governor Henry T. Gage signed the California Polytechnic School Bill in 1901, creating the California Polytechnic School. The polytechnic school began offering secondary-level programmes of study that required three years to complete on October 1, 1903, to 20 students.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, architecture, business, and liberal arts. The institution in all has 65 undergraduate programmes and 39 graduate programmes. Cal Poly’s six colleges are:
- The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
- The College of Architecture and Environmental Design
- The College of Engineering
- The College of Liberal Arts
- The College of Science and Mathematics
- Orfalea College of Business
The academic emphasis is on fusing the humanities and arts with technical and professional curricula. The Big West Conference is where the majority of the university's athletic teams compete. Cal Poly is qualified to be recognised as an institution that serves Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders (AANAPI).
Ranking
Cal Poly has been highly ranked by publications such as Times Higher Education and US News and World Report over the years. In 2021 it was placed in the 1st position among Best Colleges for Veterans. Additionally, it was also ranked #2 in Best Undergraduate Teaching and #1 in Top Public Schools, by the same publication. #96 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, US News in 2021. In 2019, Times Higher Education ranked the university #801 - 1000 among World University Rankings. Given below are the QS rankings in 2024 & 2023:
- #1201-1400 QS World University Rankings 2024
Course Wise Rankings given by Niche in 2023:
#16 - Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America
#27 - Best Colleges for Architecture in America
#73 - Best Colleges for Engineering in America
#84 - Best Colleges for Business in America
#87 - Best Colleges for Computer Science in America
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2025
#1401
-
2023
#1201 - 1400
#856
Facilities
The university holds the largest campus in the whole state i.e 9,178 acres of land. On the Cal Poly campus, there are over 400 student groups and organisations, 25+ sports clubs, 30+ fraternities/sororities, and more. Other facilities included on the university’s campus are given below:
Residence Halls: Cal Poly has multiple residence halls on campus, providing housing for over 20,000 students. These are Sierra Madre & Yosemite Residence halls, South Mountain Halls, North Mountain Halls, Cerro Vista Apartments, Poly Canyon Village Apartments and Ag housing (Only meant for those applying to the college of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences). These apartments are located on or near the campus, and usually have amenities such as a private bedroom and bathroom, a living room, and a kitchen.
Libraries: Cal Poly has two libraries on campus, the Robert E. Kennedy Library and the Kennedy Library Annex. The libraries are open to all students, faculty, staff, and researchers affiliated with the university. The library has a large collection of books, journals, and other materials, as well as a variety of online resources and databases. It also offers research assistance, instructional services, and study spaces for students.
Cafeteria: Dining is offered all over the campus at 34 venues with over 800 menu options. Vista Grande Dining Complex has balance cafe, Brunch, Hearth, Jamba, Market Grand Ave, and a number of restaurants. Just like that, the University Union neighbourhood has Starbucks, Mustang station and others. All of these dining areas have a variety of food options, including vegetarian and vegan options, as well as a salad bar, grill, deli, and dessert station. The cafeteria is open to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the university.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
California Polytechnic State University Acceptance Rate
California Polytechnic State University--San Luis Obispo maintains a competitive acceptance rate of 30%. Among admitted applicants who submitted test scores, approximately half achieved SAT scores between 1240 and 1470 or ACT scores between 28 and 33. However, one quarter of admitted students scored above these ranges, while another quarter scored below these ranges. This highlights the university's selective admissions process, emphasising academic achievement and standardised test performance as key factors in the evaluation of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University Entry Requirements, San Luis Obispo
The admission standards are the same for all first-time applicants, undergraduate students seeking advanced status, or returning students re-enrolling after a break. Students wishing to be admitted to Cal Poly must make a mandatory application fee of $70 which is non-refundable. International students need to have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 on a minimum average scale of 4.0. Each applicant must provide the following:
- SAT Subject Tests (if applicable)
- Official transcripts from each college and high school attended (in English or with translations)
- 3 teacher recommendations
- Official test scores from TOEFL iBT (80) and IELTS (6.5) — all tests must be taken within 2 years of your application date
- Post Graduate students are asked to attach their work experience proof along with the rest of the details
- A valid Passport
- LOR
- Any other country-specific or course-specific requirements
California Polytechnic State University English Language Requirements
The minimum California Polytechnic State University language requirements are given below; make sure to read to understand the expected proficiency scores:
|
Test |
Score |
|
IELTS |
6.5 |
|
TOEFL |
80 |
Scholarship
Regardless of the program you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by the university as well as other organizations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the California Polytechnic State University through UniScholarz. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
|
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility |
Award |
|
Annual Scholarship |
Available to students for one academic year; Renewable annually by the donor |
Minimum of $1,000 annually for 5 years ($5,000 total) |
|
Endowed Scholarship |
Consistent $25,000 financial support; Fund held in perpetuity with annual disbursements |
$25,000 per year (fund held in perpetuity) |
|
Earn by Doing Sponsorship Program |
Available to students for on-campus work; Non-technical work award: $5,000<br>Technical work award: $100,000 (held in perpetuity) |
$5,000 or $100,000 (depending on type of work) |
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the California Polytechnic State University. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the California Polytechnic State University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
San Luis Obispo (often abbreviated as SLO) is a city located in the Central Coast region of California, United States. It is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County and has a population of approximately 47,257 people. The city is known for its mild Mediterranean climate and natural beauty, as well as its vibrant downtown area. San Luis Obispo is home to California Polytechnic State University, which is one of the largest universities in the California State University system. The city is also a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and wine tasting. Additionally, San Luis Obispo is home to a number of historic buildings and landmarks
|
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
$699 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
$700 |
|
Transportation |
$40 |
|
Food Cost |
$585 |
|
Utility Cost |
$193 |
|
Entertainment |
$56 |
|
Groceries |
$58 |
|
Clothes |
$120 |
|
Health Insurance |
$80 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation |
$1,834 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation |
$1,832 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
$21,984 |