California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly admits approximately 29.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Cal Poly among the more selective public universities in California and nationally.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights the significant difference between Cal Poly's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Cal Poly's acceptance rate represents a 48.3 percentage point difference below the peer median, indicating substantially more competitive admission than similar institutions.

This level of selectivity means that academically strong students still face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process, though Cal Poly remains more accessible than the most elite institutions with single-digit acceptance rates. The university's focus on technical and pre-professional programs attracts high-achieving students seeking career-oriented education, contributing to competitive applicant pools.

Students considering Cal Poly should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but similar program strengths and career outcomes. Treating Cal Poly as a competitive target school represents sound application strategy, requiring backup options with more accessible admission while maintaining comparable post-graduation value.

Cal Poly's published cost of attendance is $29,918 per year, including $11,075 in-state tuition, $17,220 for room and board, and $1,089 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $15,624 after financial aid, representing savings of $14,294 through various aid programs.

Out-of-state students face significantly higher costs with tuition of $30,995, though financial aid can substantially reduce net expenses. The institution's net price of $15,624 sits essentially at the peer median of $15,590, indicating typical pricing for similar public universities.

Cal Poly's pricing structure reflects California's approach to public higher education, with relatively moderate base costs enhanced by financial aid that reduces actual expenses for most families. The substantial gap between sticker price and average net cost demonstrates the importance of applying for financial aid regardless of family income level.

Students and families should focus on net price rather than published costs when evaluating affordability, as the $14,294 average savings significantly improves accessibility for middle and lower-income families across the state and nation.

Cal Poly graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth across career stages. Median earnings rise from $72,358 six years after enrollment to $82,835 at eight years and $90,768 at ten years, representing 25.4% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 3,553 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $12,323 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Cal Poly at the 88.3rd percentile for earnings uplift.

Low-income graduates earn $68,400, demonstrating the institution's ability to support economic mobility across income backgrounds. Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with outcomes ranging from $58,977 at the 25th percentile to $132,118 at the 75th percentile, a 2.2:1 ratio reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.

Approximately 24.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The combination of controlled debt levels and strong earnings creates favorable conditions for long-term financial stability.

Cal Poly offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Computer Engineering ranks #9 nationally and #4 in California, graduating 158 students with median earnings of $122,307 and a value score of 93.5.

Mechanical Engineering ranks #5 nationally and #5 in California, producing 308 graduates with median earnings of $97,466. Business Administration and Management ranks #16 nationally and #5 in California, graduating 654 students with median earnings of $85,332.

Agricultural Animal Breeding ranks #2 nationally and #1 in California, with 174 graduates earning $52,909. Agribusiness Operations ranks #2 nationally and #1 in California, graduating 162 students with median earnings of $78,364.

Civil Engineering ranks #4 nationally and #3 in California, with 159 graduates earning $91,424. These rankings reflect Cal Poly's concentration in practical, career-oriented programs with strong industry connections and demonstrated market value.