Colleges › California › Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost
Also known as Cal Poly SLO
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo accepts 31% of applicants. It is a public university in San Luis Obispo, California, with about 21,996 undergraduates. The sticker price is $34,482 a year for state residents, but after aid the average family pays $18,832.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need for Cal Poly SLO?
Even with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Admitly estimates a typical California resident has about a 35% chance, so a top GPA is expected and the rest of the application decides most outcomes.
The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.
Chances of getting into Cal Poly San Luis Obispo by GPA
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo does not consider SAT or ACT scores, so these chances assume no test score. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
| GPA | California resident | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 2% Reach | 1% Reach |
| 3.3 | 2% Reach | 1% Reach |
| 3.5 | 5% Reach | 1% Reach |
| 3.7 | 11% Reach | 4% Reach |
| 3.9 | 25% Reach | 9% Reach |
| 4.0 | 35% Target | 14% Reach |
Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.
Get your own chance, free
Enter your GPA, test score and state to see your chance here and at 169 other colleges, with cost after aid for your family. No sign-up needed.
Check my chancesWhat families actually pay at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $34,482 a year for state residents including room and board.
| Family income | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50k | $10,400 | $29,000 |
| $50k – $100k | $12,500 | $31,100 |
| $100k – $150k | $18,100 | $36,800 |
| $150k – $250k | $34,000 | $52,600 |
| Over $250k | $34,482 | $55,800 |
Out-of-state figures add most of the tuition difference, since state grants rarely follow students across state lines.
Outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
Common questions about Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
What is the acceptance rate at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo?
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo admits 31% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need to get into Cal Poly San Luis Obispo?
Even with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Admitly estimates a typical California resident has about a 35% chance, so a top GPA is expected and the rest of the application decides most outcomes. This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores (not considered here), activities and essays all matter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo?
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo does not consider SAT or ACT scores.
How much does Cal Poly San Luis Obispo cost after financial aid?
The sticker price is $34,482 a year for state residents including room and board, but the average family pays $18,832 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $10,400 in-state.
What is the graduation rate at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo?
87% of students finish their degree, and 96% return for a second year.
Colleges similar to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA · admits 33%
- University of California, IrvineIrvine, CA · admits 29%
- University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla, CA · admits 27%
- William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA · admits 34%
- University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · admits 27%
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA · admits 36%