Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California
How selective is it?
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is in our Highly Selective tier (~15-30% acceptance). Competitive. Most admitted students are at or above the school's typical academic profile.
The most selective CSU campus, fall acceptance rate ~29%.
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in your college list
This is usually a reach or a high-end target. A strong, consistent record in the most rigorous courses available at your school helps, but admission isn't assured at typical-range numbers. Check whether your intended major is more competitive than the school overall.
Building a list across tiers? See all 47 California colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
What it's known for
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is widely recognized for strengths in the fields below. This reflects peer-assessment rankings and long-standing reputation, not a full list of programs.
Explore related majors: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering.
Check the current numbers yourself
For Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Similar colleges to consider
Schools with a similar selectivity, in the same state, or known for the same fields. A balanced list usually mixes a few reaches, several realistic targets, and at least one or two safeties.
Frequently asked questions
How selective is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo?+
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo sits in our "Highly Selective" tier (~15-30% acceptance). The most selective CSU campus, fall acceptance rate ~29%.
Is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo hard to get into?+
Competitive. Most admitted students are at or above the school's typical academic profile. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's own admissions data for the current year.
What is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo known for?+
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is widely recognized for strengths in Engineering. This reflects reputation and peer-assessment rankings, not a complete list of programs, so confirm that a specific major is offered and how competitive it is.
How do I find Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo?+
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution in San Luis Obispo, California.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Always confirm details with the school.