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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Visit Website

Cal Poly's main campus sits on 9,000+ acres in San Luis Obispo County, offering a mix of open space and modern facilities. The student body is known for its strong work ethic and practical approach to learning, drawn to the university's emphasis on hands-on experience. Cal Poly is distinctive for its "learn by doing" educational philosophy across disciplines. Its location provides access to both the Central Coast's natural beauty and the resources of a growing city.

Programs Analyzed

Avg Grad Earnings

$57,475/yr

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

59/100

Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$11,075/yr

Out-of-state: $30,995/yr

Financial Aid & Net Price

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships, by family income. 18% of students receive Pell Grants and 23% take federal loans.

Family Income	Avg Net Price/yr	4-Year Net Cost	Net-Price ROI
$0 – $30K	$6,476	$25,904	22.2x
$30K – $48K	$6,904	$27,616	20.8x
$48K – $75K	$11,372	$45,488	12.6x
$75K – $110K	$18,032	$72,128	8.0x
$110K+	$26,920	$107,680	5.3x
Sticker price (no aid)	$11,075	$44,300	13.0x

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships. ROI = average 10-year graduate earnings ÷ 4-year net cost. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

All Programs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

50 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for full AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Program	DW Score	Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Computer Engineering Compare across schools	87	$111,560/yr	Very High	32.0x
Business Administration Compare across schools	84	$71,876/yr	High	22.2x
Economics Compare across schools	80	$67,501/yr	Very High	19.2x
Computer Science Compare across schools	77	$111,141/yr	Very High	24.1x
Electrical Compare across schools	77	$90,576/yr	Very High	25.3x
Industrial Engineering Compare across schools	77	$87,226/yr	High	26.3x
Aerospace Compare across schools	77	$85,509/yr	High	24.4x
Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools	77	$83,011/yr	Very High	24.0x
Civil Engineering Compare across schools	77	$80,673/yr	High	21.9x
Agricultural Business and Management Compare across schools	75	$52,778/yr	High	20.0x
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Compare across schools	74	$81,186/yr	High	24.1x
Construction Management Compare across schools	73	$92,785/yr	High	19.9x
Architectural Engineering Compare across schools	73	$80,481/yr	High	20.9x
Materials Engineering Compare across schools	73	$74,496/yr	High	23.3x
Environmental Health Engineering Compare across schools	71	$82,197/yr	Very High	18.5x
Agricultural Engineering Compare across schools	70	$72,713/yr	High	19.3x
Mathematics Compare across schools	68	$53,136/yr	Very High	16.7x
Food Science and Technology Compare across schools	68	$52,240/yr	Moderate	17.6x
Plant Sciences Compare across schools	65	$63,129/yr	High	15.7x
Architecture Compare across schools	65	$60,634/yr	High	16.5x
Political Science and Government Compare across schools	63	$37,003/yr	Very High	19.4x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools	61	$62,183/yr	High	14.1x
Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology Compare across schools	61	$57,538/yr	High	15.4x
Natural Resources Management and Policy Compare across schools	60	$37,126/yr	High	14.7x
Industrial Production Technologies Compare across schools	59	$78,938/yr	Moderate	16.8x
Graphic Communications Compare across schools	59	$49,029/yr	High	18.7x
Landscape Architecture Compare across schools	58	$58,331/yr	High	12.8x
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology Compare across schools	58	$55,807/yr	High	11.6x
Forestry Compare across schools	58	$55,092/yr	Moderate	15.5x
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools	58	$36,006/yr	Moderate	18.8x
Agriculture, General Compare across schools	56	$64,786/yr	High	14.4x
Journalism Compare across schools	56	$48,637/yr	Very High	14.3x
Agricultural Mechanization Compare across schools	54	$73,053/yr	Moderate	15.5x
Architectural Sciences and Technology Compare across schools	53	$58,653/yr	High	12.2x
Biology, General Compare across schools	53	$35,638/yr	High	15.6x
Sociology Compare across schools	50	$30,401/yr	High	16.1x
City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning Compare across schools	47	$47,832/yr	High	9.8x
History Compare across schools	47	$31,540/yr	High	12.1x
English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools	46	$34,718/yr	Very High	13.5x
Animal Sciences Compare across schools	46	$33,879/yr	High	13.0x
Teacher Education Compare across schools	46	$22,293/yr	High	11.3x
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Compare across schools	45	$48,489/yr	High	9.9x
Agricultural Public Services Compare across schools	43	$54,583/yr	High	11.3x
Psychology, General Compare across schools	43	$23,744/yr	High	13.8x
Liberal Arts and Sciences Compare across schools	42	$35,056/yr	Low	13.5x
Health and Physical Education/Fitness Compare across schools	35	$30,472/yr	Moderate	5.9x
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies Compare across schools	33	$39,157/yr	Very High	7.8x
Social Sciences, Other Compare across schools	31	$28,931/yr	High	9.3x
Marine Sciences Compare across schools	24	$27,337/yr	High	5.2x
Nutrition Sciences Compare across schools	22	$22,675/yr	High	4.1x

Compare any program at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with another school. Use the comparison tool →

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →