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Public, 4-Year
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in CA. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.

Annual Tuition

$11,075

Average Sticker Price

Admission Rate

29.8%

Selectivity Level

Graduation Rate

85.3%

Completion Success

Median Earnings

$90,768

10y Career Outlook

About Institution

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in San Luis Obispo, CA. With a competitive tuition profile of $11,075, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 85.3% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.

Investment Return

Estimated College ROI Analysis

Total 4-Year Cost

$44,300

Based on sticker tuition

Estimated Payback

0.7 yrs

Time to recoup investment

Annual Earnings Boost

+$60,768

vs. $30k HS diploma baseline

10-Year Net Gain

+$563,380

Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost

20-Year Net Gain

+$1,171,060

Long-term projected return on your education investment

ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is $18,500.

Student Community

Gender Balance

Women
Men
50.1%
49.9%
FemininityMasculinity

Ethnic Diversity

White
49.7%
Hispanic
23.1%
Asian
14.4%
Two or more
7.9%
Unknown
3.0%
International
0.9%
Black
0.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.1%

Security Audit

Safety Rating: 3-Year Aggregate

Incidents

92

Burglary

16

Theft

56

Assault

2

Robbery

0

Rape

12

Arson

6

Murder

0

Financial Outlook

Total Sticker Price

$11,075

Estimated cost before aid.

Net Price By Income

$0 - $30k$6,476
$30k - $48k$6,904
$48k - $75k$11,372
$75k+$18,032

Debt & Financial Aid

Median Debt (grads)$18,500
Pell Grant Recipients18.3%
Using Federal Loans23.5%
Historical 3yr Loan Repayment86.7%

Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.

Grant Aid (IPEDS 2021)

Avg. Total Grant Aid$10,496
Pell Grant Recipients17.0%

* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.

Quick Overview

Faculty Ratio

N/A

Retention

95.2%

Success

85.3%

In-State Cost

$11,075

Age 25+ Students

2.3%

Carnegie Class

Master's: Larger

Working at 6yr

4,017 students

Security Benchmark

Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)

Violent Offenses

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
San Luis Obispo (City-wide)0.0

Property Crimes

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
San Luis Obispo (City-wide)0.0

Stats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.

Living In San Luis Obispo

Off-Campus Market Estimator

Current Fair Market Rents
🏠

Studio

$1,541

Monthly Average

🏢

1 Bedroom

$1,731

Monthly Average

🏘️

2 Bedrooms

$2,274

Monthly Average

🏢

3 Bedrooms

$

Monthly Average

Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the San Luis Obispo metropolitan area.