California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo at a Glance
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 studen…
1901
125 years old
$336M
$335.8 million (2025)
2,023
1,600
19:1 student:faculty
9,178 acres
Identity
How to Apply to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Official admissions page$70
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Worth It?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $16,665/year net price and $90,768 median earnings, graduates earn 5.4× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 86% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Median student debt of $18,500 is manageable at just 20% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #1 of 8 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 100 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| #2 | University of California-Irvine | 100 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
| #3 | University of California-San Diego | 100 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| #4 | University of Georgia | 100 | $13,936 | $68,726 |
| #5 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | 100 | $14,091 | $78,466 |
| #6 | University of California-Santa Barbara | 98 | $16,109 | $74,915 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in CA.
Best Programs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
The highest-earning program at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $115,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Social Sciences, Other at $21,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo earns $115,000, while a Social Sciences, Other graduate earns $21,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $19,500 in median debt vs. $15,500 for Social Sciences, Other.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,665/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $115,000 | $115,000 | $19,500 |
| Computer Engineering | $88,200 | $88,200 | $24,250 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $78,300 | $78,300 | $19,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $73,800 | $73,800 | $22,661 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $71,600 | $71,600 | $21,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $71,600 | $71,600 | $20,500 |
| Industrial Engineering | $69,100 | $69,100 | $18,463 |
| Civil Engineering | $68,100 | $68,100 | $19,500 |
| Materials Engineering | $64,000 | $64,000 | $15,750 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $62,600 | $62,600 | $19,750 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $60,800 | $60,800 | $13,000 |
| Architectural Engineering | $60,400 | $60,400 | $19,083 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,800 | $59,800 | $15,749 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $57,700 | $57,700 | $17,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $56,300 | $56,300 | N/A |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $54,700 | $54,700 | $17,666 |
| Economics | $53,300 | $53,300 | $18,423 |
| Architecture | $52,900 | $52,900 | $26,250 |
| Graphic Communications | $50,100 | $50,100 | $16,500 |
| Mathematics | $46,800 | $46,800 | $21,306 |
| Political Science and Government | $45,800 | $45,800 | $14,900 |
| Landscape Architecture | $44,300 | $44,300 | $25,147 |
| Food Science and Technology | $43,800 | $43,800 | $24,714 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $43,200 | $43,200 | $15,000 |
| Plant Sciences | $41,100 | $41,100 | $18,296 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $41,000 | $41,000 | $15,000 |
| Forestry | $39,900 | $39,900 | $23,457 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,400 | $38,400 | $15,000 |
| Sociology | $38,100 | $38,100 | $15,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $33,300 | $33,300 | $15,499 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,600 | $32,600 | $18,245 |
| Journalism | $31,600 | $31,600 | $15,000 |
| Psychology, General | $31,400 | $31,400 | $18,200 |
| Biology, General | $31,200 | $31,200 | $19,500 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $29,900 | $29,900 | $18,792 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $29,600 | $29,600 | $16,500 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $29,500 | $29,500 | $18,000 |
| Animal Sciences | $29,100 | $29,100 | $19,232 |
| History | $28,800 | $28,800 | $18,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $27,000 | $27,000 | $18,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,000 | $26,000 | $20,000 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $21,400 | $21,400 | $15,500 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- San Luis Obispo, CA
- Student Body
- 21,996 students
- Admission Rate
- 31%
- Graduation Rate
- 86%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,665
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $90,768
- Median Student Debt
- $18,500