California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

calpoly.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$5,742

2021 Average Net Price

$20,708

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

0.842%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

33%

54,570 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

22,231

93.5% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

85.4%

4,208 Graduates

About

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a higher education institution located in San Luis Obispo County, CA. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo were General Business Administration & Management (766 degrees awarded), Mechanical Engineering (293 degrees), and General Biological Sciences (204 degrees).

In 2021, 5,951 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 51.5% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 48.5% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,212 degrees), 3.08 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1,044 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is $5,742, which is $−17,442 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

Photo by Rob Bulmahn

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is $5,742, which is $−17,442 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $20,708.

In 2021, 52% of undergraduate students attending California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 23% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$5,742

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo was $5,742. The cost of tuition at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is $−17,442 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

This chart compares the tuition costs of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$20,708

2021 Value

1.06%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $20,708. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo grew by 1.06%.

This chart compares the average net price of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$15,694

Room and Board

$888

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo was of $15,694 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 8.56% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $888. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 54.3% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

52%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

23%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

52% of undergraduate students at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a decline of 1.89% with respect to 2020, when 53% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.842%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo was 0.842%, which represents 24 out of the 2852 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo received 54,570 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 4.2% annual growth. Out of those 54,570 applicants, 18,008 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 33% acceptance rate.

There were 22,231 students enrolled at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 2021. 80% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has an overall enrollment yield of 27.1%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

33%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

18,008

Accepted Out of 54,570

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo was 33% (18,008 admissions from 54,570 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 38.4%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 4.2%, while admissions declined by −10.5%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

80%

Submission Percentage (2020)

3,831

Scores Submitted (2020)

80% of enrolled first-time students at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo had a total enrollment of 22,231 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is 20,776 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,455. This means that 93.5% of students enrolled at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, both undergraduate and graduate, is 53% White, 19.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 7.48% Two or More Races, 0.72% Black or African American, 0.229% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.121% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (26.7%), followed by White Male (26.5%) and Hispanic or Latino Male (9.89%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (27.7%), followed by White Male (26%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (10.3%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

93.5%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 22,231 students. The full-time enrollment at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is 20,776 and the part-time enrollment is 1,455. This means that 93.5% of students enrolled at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are enrolled full-time compared with 68.3% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

95%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo was 95%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
11,781 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
4,303 enrolled students
Asian
2,996 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is 53% White, 19.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 7.48% Two or More Races, 0.72% Black or African American, 0.229% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.121% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 52% White, 16.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.8% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 737 students (3.32%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 181 more women than men received degrees from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is white (3,212 degrees awarded). There were 3.08 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1044 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is General Business Administration & Management (766 degrees awarded), followed by Mechanical Engineering (293 degrees) and General Biological Sciences (204 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Agriculture (541 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (252 degrees), and Engineering (1,403 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are Software developers (392,970 people), Other managers (353,597 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (335,320 people), Civil engineers (263,844 people), and Mechanical engineers (191,904 people).

The most specialized majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in 2021 are Agriculture (541 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (252 degrees), Engineering (1,403 degrees), Communication Technologies (94 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (153 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Podiatrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are Podiatrists, Surgeons, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Physicians, and Nurse anesthetists

The most specialized majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are Agriculture (541 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (252 degrees), Engineering (1,403 degrees), Communication Technologies (94 degrees), and Natural Resources & Conservation (153 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Architectural, engineering & related services

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are Architectural, engineering & related services (551,844 people), Computer Systems Design (429,759 people), Construction (321,147 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (214,750 people), and Aircraft & parts manufacturing (151,071 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

Most Common (2021)

General Business Administration & Management
766 degrees awarded
Mechanical Engineering
293 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
204 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo was General Business Administration & Management with 766 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

2,885

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

3,066

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 2,885 degrees were awarded to men at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, which is 0.941 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (3,066).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 436 degrees were awarded to men at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.19 times more than the 366 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 366 degrees were awarded to men at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in General Business Administration & Management, which is 0.839 times less than the 436 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

51%

100% Completion Time

82%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 51% of students graduating from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 82% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 84% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Female

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is Female and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 4.25% of graduates (179 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
3,212 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
1,044 degrees awarded
Asian
776 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is white (3,212 degrees awarded). There were 3.08 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (1044 degrees).

5.07% of degree recipients (302 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Female
1,660 degrees awarded
White Male
1,552 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
554 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is white female (1,660 degrees awarded). There were 1.07 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1552 degrees).

Operations

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has an endowment valued at nearly $287M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 17.1M (5.97%) compared to the 13.1% average return (6.61M on 50.4M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2021, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo had a total salary expenditure of 611M. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo employs 306 Professors, 211 Lecturers and 174 Associate professors. Most academics at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are Male Professor (212), Male Lecturer (124), and Male Associate professor (104).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are: Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 278 employees, Business and Financial Operations, with 238 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 192 employees.

Endowment

$287M

2021 Endowment

27%

growth from 2020

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has an endowment valued at about $287M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo grew 27% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $237M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$213M

2021 Salaries

4.21%

decline from 2020

In 2021, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo paid a median of $213M in salaries, which represents 34.9% of their overall expenditure ($611M) and a 4.21% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 35.1M (41.3% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$83.1M

Instructional Salaries

860

Number of Employees

In 2021, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo paid a total of $83.1M to 860 employees working as instructors, which represents 39% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11M (31.3%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

306 Employees

Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

278 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo were Professor with 306 employees, Lecturer with 211 employees, and Associate professor with 174 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo were Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 278 employees, Business and Financial Operations with 238 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 192 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Male Lecturer
Male Associate professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo was Male Professor with 212 employees, Male Lecturer with 124 employees, and Male Associate professor with 104 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.