California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 20% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 95th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $111,141 | $154,784 | +45% | #29 of 349 | #33 | $19,500 |
| Computer Engineering | $111,560 | $148,950 | +37% | #14 of 189 | #16 | $20,556 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $90,576 | $125,240 | +24% | #11 of 258 | #25 | $23,475 |
| Construction Management | $92,785 | $118,331 | +24% | #2 of 57 | #7 | $18,500 |
| Industrial Engineering | $87,226 | $112,797 | +15% | #6 of 94 | #34 | $19,691 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $71,876 | $110,902 | +62% | #15 of 1176 | #23 | $16,633 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $81,186 | $109,232 | +17% | #12 of 118 | #34 | $20,500 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $85,509 | $107,498 | +9% | #8 of 59 | #36 | $22,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,011 | $106,750 | +16% | #15 of 318 | #98 | $20,500 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $82,197 | $102,702 | +27% | #2 of 46 | #2 | $20,500 |
| Statistics | — | $101,353 | +10% | #14 of 50 | #19 | $17,939 |
| Civil Engineering | $80,673 | $101,072 | +17% | #8 of 233 | #42 | $20,424 |
| Materials Engineering | $74,496 | $100,599 | +10% | #3 of 34 | #18 | $17,000 |
| Economics | $67,501 | $98,927 | +20% | #71 of 368 | #96 | $17,500 |
| Philosophy | — | $98,592 | +81% | #2 of 86 | #2 | — |
| Physics | — | $96,805 | +26% | #10 of 107 | #22 | $23,886 |
| Architectural Engineering | $80,481 | $92,767 | +4% | #4 of 16 | #12 | $25,000 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $72,713 | $92,603 | +9% | #4 of 26 | #17 | $15,374 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $78,938 | $89,195 | +10% | #9 of 51 | #31 | $17,272 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $52,778 | $88,396 | +33% | #2 of 77 | #8 | $16,000 |
| Agriculture | $64,786 | $84,412 | +57% | #1 of 43 | #1 | $21,903 |
| Mathematics | $53,136 | $83,187 | +20% | #66 of 309 | #106 | $16,636 |
| Plant Sciences | $63,129 | $82,487 | +46% | #1 of 44 | #2 | $15,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,003 | $81,843 | +29% | #36 of 565 | #72 | $17,831 |
| Agricultural Public Services | $54,583 | $80,965 | +50% | #1 of 10 | #2 | — |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | $47,832 | $80,820 | +21% | #2 of 17 | #4 | $19,334 |
| Graphic Communications | $49,029 | $79,432 | +84% | #1 of 59 | #2 | $17,961 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $57,538 | $78,097 | +19% | #16 of 110 | #26 | $17,500 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | $73,053 | $78,080 | +10% | #3 of 10 | #7 | — |
| Forestry | $55,092 | $77,419 | +32% | #3 of 31 | #10 | $17,333 |
| Architecture | $60,634 | $76,613 | +14% | #8 of 78 | #34 | $27,500 |
| Food Science and Technology | $52,240 | $75,466 | +6% | #9 of 29 | #16 | $19,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $62,183 | $75,223 | +33% | #22 of 660 | #48 | $14,857 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $39,157 | $75,181 | +47% | #1 of 63 | #2 | $15,400 |
| Journalism | $48,637 | $70,829 | +26% | #10 of 187 | #25 | $19,500 |
| Sociology | $30,401 | $69,883 | +33% | #15 of 462 | #34 | $16,500 |
| Biology | $35,638 | $69,854 | +22% | #101 of 841 | #238 | $23,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $48,489 | $69,227 | +15% | #27 of 138 | #50 | $15,000 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | $37,126 | $68,965 | +23% | #5 of 29 | #7 | $19,500 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $22,675 | $68,930 | +15% | #7 of 53 | #16 | $17,166 |
| Landscape Architecture | $58,331 | $68,795 | +4% | #7 of 19 | #15 | $22,583 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,056 | $68,171 | +28% | #32 of 476 | #68 | $17,500 |
| History | $31,540 | $66,518 | +31% | #28 of 459 | #50 | $15,833 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,472 | $64,579 | +18% | #65 of 610 | #185 | $15,000 |
| Chemistry | — | $63,882 | -2% | #130 of 209 | #187 | $15,259 |
| English Language and Literature | $34,718 | $63,413 | +31% | #34 of 576 | #60 | $23,500 |
| Psychology | $23,744 | $60,466 | +19% | #91 of 1027 | #230 | $18,916 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,006 | $59,721 | +44% | #11 of 423 | #21 | $17,886 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $58,653 | — | — | — | — | $23,500 |
| Social Sciences | $28,931 | $57,360 | +1% | #13 of 35 | #19 | $16,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 93433 (2.7% cap, Grover Beach)
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🏆 Where California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Room | $11,094 | |
| Board | $7,400 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $32,321 | $52,241 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,476 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,904 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,372 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,032 |
| $110,001+ | $26,920 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
How much does it cost to attend California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
What is the graduation rate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo a good school?
- Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (B): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (A): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
Is there rental demand near California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology