California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
About
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States, outside of the city limits of San Luis Obispo. Founded in 1901, it is the oldest of three polytechnic universities within the California State University system. Cal Poly emphasizes a "learn by doing" philosophy, integrating hands-on, practical experiences into its curriculum. As of fall 2025, Cal Poly had approximately 22,000 undergraduate and 900 graduate students.
Admissions funnel
How selective is this institution, and how many admitted students choose to enroll?
Outcomes & equity
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Pell equity
Non-Pell students graduate at a 7.0-point higher rate than Pell recipients.
What families actually pay
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Academic programs
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Top program families by completions
Enrollment & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Gender split
Race / ethnicity composition
Faculty
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs IPEDS peer group
The peer institutions California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo selected for federal comparison reporting.
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 86% | 31.3% | 23,069 | $15,624 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
Appalachian State University | 75% | 90.1% | 21,570 | $16,487 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 68% | 75.2% | 27,636 | $11,580 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
California State University-Chico | 63% | 92.7% | 15,257 | $14,838 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
California State University-Dominguez Hills | 43% | 93.3% | 15,182 | $3,659 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
California State University-Los Angeles | 53% | 91.3% | 23,163 | $4,113 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
California State University-Northridge | 57% | 93.4% | 38,313 | $7,599 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
California State University-Sacramento | 56% | 94.0% | 31,943 | $10,512 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
California State University-San Marcos | 55% | 95.1% | 16,237 | $10,550 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 72% | 47.5% | 20,081 | $2,978 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
CUNY Brooklyn College | 54% | 58.4% | 14,390 | $2,943 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
CUNY Hunter College | 57% | 53.8% | 22,538 | $2,446 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 56% | 57.1% | 13,763 | $3,046 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
CUNY Lehman College | 51% | 56.6% | 13,324 | $3,482 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
CUNY Queens College | 53% | 64.3% | 15,965 | $3,830 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
Eastern Washington University | 43% | 90.7% | 10,492 | $13,091 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
Metropolitan State University of Denver | 31% | 98.8% | 18,453 | $14,294 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
Minnesota State University-Mankato | 53% | 88.4% | 15,271 | $18,609 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
Pennsylvania Western University | 52% | 94.3% | 10,834 | $19,352 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
San Jose State University | 69% | 84.6% | 37,661 | $13,741 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
Southeastern Louisiana University | 45% | 99.3% | 14,426 | $12,174 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
Towson University | 69% | 82.0% | 19,401 | $16,791 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
Troy University | 49% | 96.0% | 13,658 | $13,869 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
University of Houston-Downtown | 33% | 90.0% | 13,730 | $14,623 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
University of Maryland Global Campus | 20% | — | 63,012 | $14,514 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
University of North Georgia | 50% | 67.9% | 19,291 | $10,785 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
Western Washington University | 65% | 93.2% | 14,710 | $18,680 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
| Peer group median | 54% | 90.0% | 16,237 | $12,174 |
Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
We play a pivotal role on campus by fulfilling two core functions: providing mandatory data to the Chancellor's Office and serving as a key resource for Cal Poly constituents for strategic planning and decision-making.
Visit IR office page- Mauricio Saavedra, Ph.D.Executive Director, Institutional Research
- Robert FitlerSenior Research Analyst
- Ray FloresData Analyst
- Gary GlasspoolData Analyst
- Meghna TanejaData Analyst
Common Data Set (1)
The institution's official annual Common Data Set publications — the most detailed reference for enrollment, admissions, and outcomes.
Documents & reports (6)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- DashboardDashboardir.calpoly.edu
- Data definitionData Cookbook - Institutional Research - Cal Poly, San Luis ObispoThe Data Cookbook at Cal Poly is a central, automated platform for managing data access requests, improving transparency and consistency in data reporting. Specifications are used to make data requests, automating what was previously a manual process, enhancing efficiency across the university's functional areas. The platform includes a range of request types for various departmental and institutional needs, ensuring adherence to privacy and regulatory standards.ir.calpoly.edu
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- Factbook2020 FactBook2020The 2020 FactBook for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, published by the Office of Institutional Research, provides enhanced graphs and tables on admissions, enrollment, degrees awarded, graduation rates, employee profiles, and financial aid. The FactBook, updated since 2016, no longer uses traditional formats but presents data through web-based graphs and tables.ir.calpoly.edu
- GlossaryFAD Glossary - Institutional Research - Cal Poly, San Luis ObispoThe FAD Glossary from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, serves as a reference guide for understanding various terms related to faculty assignments and course management within the Faculty Assignment by Department (FAD) report. It includes terms related to faculty appointments, workload credits, course structure, and instructional funding. Definitions are specific to how they apply within the context of Cal Poly's reporting and administrative systems.ir.calpoly.edu
- Strategic planStrategic Plan of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo2014The strategic plan for Cal Poly, originally outlined as Vision 2022, continues to guide the university's strategy and decision-making processes today. The Master Plan extends through 2035, focusing on campus development projects and a commitment to sustainability. The plan emphasizes environmental, social, and economic sustainability as key priorities for the university's future.president.calpoly.edu
Notable alumni (10)
A curated list of alumni recognized for notable achievements across industries.
- Weird Al YankovicMusic
- Bobby BeathardSports
- Devin NunesPolitics
- Ozzie SmithSports
- Robert L. GibsonAerospace
- Alex SpanosBusiness
- Burt RutanAerospace
- John MaddenSports
- Farzad NazemTech
- Frederick W. SturckowAerospace
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