Placement Metric
Highest Package
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Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.
University Guide
About California Polytechnic State University
Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is by “Western Association of Schools and Colleges.” The university currently caters to the needs of over 20,000 students through six colleges spread across one of the largest college campuses in the US. Cal Poly boasts being recognized as the number 1 public Masters-level university by US News. Additionally, engineering programs at Cal Poly are also highly ranked among the world.
With an acceptance rate of 30% and a selective admission policy, the university ensures that only the academic elite are enrolled in the courses offered. International students planning to apply for Cal Poly will need to ensure that apart from a good GPA, they have competitive scores on tests required to study in the US. The tuition can cost around $20,000 annually for international students and other expenses can round up to $15,000 annually. You can look for scholarships to study in US in case you plan on opting for financial aids.
California Polytechnic State University Ranking
California Polytechnic State University ranked:
- #3 in Regional Universities West, US News
- #1 in Best Colleges for Veterans, US News 2021
- #2 in Best Undergraduate Teaching, US News 2021
- #1 in Most Innovative Schools, US News 2021
- #96 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, US News 2021
- #1 in Top Public Schools, US News 2021
- 201st US College Rankings 2021
Highlights
| Type of University | Public |
| Faculty Members | 1473 |
| Percentage of International students | 0.9% |
| Established in | 1901 |
| Graduate Placement Rate | 95% |
| Study Abroad Programs | 500 |
| Tuition Fee for International UG Students | 23,715 USD – 26,022 USD |
| Tuition Fee for International PG Students | 19,605 USD – 19,905 USD |
| Official website | calpoly.edu |
California Polytechnic State University Campus & Accommodation
Cal Poly is among one of the largest land-hold universities in the United State and is committed to creating equitable communities for all residents, staff, and guests of the institution. Student life on Cal Poly campus offers you to join 25+ sports clubs, 30+ fraternities/sororities, and over 400 student clubs and organizations.
On-campus and off-campus housing options are available to choose from. For on-campus residence, students are not just applying to live in a specific building but in a residential learning community that has academic, wellness, social, identity and inters-specific living-learning programs forming a community. Apart from the community package, other benefits are the ease of access to university resources, activities, and social gatherings. In view of this, the university makes it mandatory for all freshmen to live on campus. When applying for on-campus residence, students are given the opportunity to choose their preferred accommodation type in any of the top five residential communities on-campus and they are likely to be placed in their first choice.
To be a member of the residential learning community, the following step must be taken:
- Acceptance of admission offer
- Application for housing via the Cal Poly portal. When applying, the student is required to do the following:
- Agree to the housing contract
- Make an initial payment of 500 USD for housing and 1,000 USD for dining
- Select the top residential learning community preferences
- Add accommodation information
- Request for roommates
- Select the preferred housing options (Gender-inclusive housing, dining plan, etc.)
- Select the preferred room
- Move-in
For off-campus students, San Luis Obispo is a homely community with a lot of exciting activities in a serene environment. However, looking for an apartment may be a herculean task, therefore, returning students who intend to stay off-campus are advised to contact the off-campus office directly at (805) 756-2794 or visit the school website for housing resources.
California Polytechnic State University Courses
California Polytechnic State University offers 65 undergraduate programs, 39 graduate programs, 84 minor degrees, and 13 credentials across its five colleges. Cal Poly programs also provide modern facilities, adequate learning resources, seasoned professionals, and a conducive learning community to help students excel in their chosen fields. This is evidenced by the fact that 89% of Cal Poly graduates are fully employed or in grad schools upon graduation.
- It offers 60 majors in the undergraduate category. The popular undergraduate courses and programs include accounting, agriculture, computer science, business administration, computer and information systems, creative writing, computer technician, quality control, English language and literature, and many more.
- The popular graduate courses and programs include biology, biomedical engineering, public policy, business analytics, nutrition, and many more. For most of the top PG courses at Cal Ploy, the admission open in October for international applicants.
California Polytechnic State University Application Process
Detailed information on Cal Poly international admission procedures is outlined below:
How to Apply: To apply for admission, the following steps must be taken by the prospective student:
- Choose a major that best fits your educational goals and review all documents to ensure that all the requirements and supporting documents ready for upload
- Submit the application online on or before the deadline with a non-refundable and non-transferable application fee of 70 USD. A response mail will be sent by the school to the applicant in acknowledgment of receipt of the application.
- Periodic log in on the portal to view any outstanding requirements and confirm all personal information.
- Ensure that all admission file requirements are submitted before the deadline
- Keep an open line of communication as the admission officer will communicate the application status or any other update.
Admission Requirements: In addition to the online application, international students are expected to submit the following documents to complete the application process:
- Official transcripts submitted by the institution in the native language with a certified English translated version attached.
- International Academic Evaluation of the candidate's credentials
- SAT or ACT test scores sent electronically from the testing agency or via the application TOEFL or IELTS results of not more than two years for applicants whose first language is not English.
- IELTS- 6.5
- TOEFL- 80
- GRE/GMAT are waived off for 2021 admissions.
- Personal Statements
- Resume/CV
- Letters of Recommendations
California Polytechnic Institute of Technology Cost of Attendance
All Cal Poly fees listed below are estimates and subject to change upon approval by the board of trustees, the chancellor, or the president. However, changes will be made in accordance with the requirements of the working families students fee transparency and accountability act.
Fees for undergraduate programs:
| Fees | Cost for UG (USD per year) | Cost of PG (USD per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | 10,071 | 11,672 |
| Non-Residence Fee | 11,880 | 6,336 |
| International Fee | 900 | - |
| Mandatory Health Insurance | 1,416 | - |
| Total Tuition | 30,420 | 17,964 |
| Books | 681 | 681 |
| Supplies | 202 | 202 |
| Room and Meals | 15,705 | 16,377 |
| Transportation | 711 | 711 |
| Personal/Miscellaneous | 1,479 | 1,479 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | 47,070 | 37,491 |
Note:
- Fees are based on full-time enrollment
- Non-resident tuition is based on 15 units per quarter at 264 USD per unit
- MBA costs 46,073
California Polytechnic State University Scholarships
Financial aid opportunities at Cal Poly are available through scholarship and work sponsorship programs. The type of financial aid chosen by a student depends on his/her intention and financial resources. There are more than 800 Cal Poly scholarships available across different colleges excluding outside scholarships and awards. These on-campus scholarships are awarded based on financial need, community service, scholastic achievement, honor and organizational affiliations, participation in school activities, etc.
On-campus scholarships may be university-wide (that is; applicable to every qualified student in the university) or college, department or major-wise (that is; applicable to students in a specific college, department or major). Recipients of these scholarships are selected every spring for the upcoming session and renewal is based on the terms and conditions binding the award. The two types of scholarships available are annual scholarships and endowed scholarships.
- Annual Scholarship: This scholarship is aimed at providing support for students for one academic year and it is renewable every year, by the donor. The award is pegged at a minimum sum of 1,000 USD annually, for 5 years, making a total minimum amount of 5,000 USD.
- Endowed Scholarship: This is a consistent 25,000 USD financial support to students and allows the institution to hold the fund in perpetuity releasing only a fraction to the recipients annually.
Earn by Doing Sponsorship Program: Financial Aid can be in the form of an Earn by Doing work sponsorship program. This program funds students to work at one of the on-campus facilities like shops, laboratories, workshops, etc. A non-technical work attracts a sponsorship award of 5,000 USD while a technical work attracts a sponsorship of 100,000 USD held in perpetuity.
Work While You Study
As an institution that promotes experience and skill development, Cal Poly is intentional about helping students get job placement on-campus to help meet some financial obligations, develop skills and expertise about a job and network around the workplace.
Through the MustangJOBS services, an online job listing service powered by handshake, Cal Poly has been able to create over 2500 on-campus, local part-time jobs internship and career positions available for students every year.
Information on working while studying, eligibility, basic rules and requirements and the benefits accrued to on-campus and off-campus work can only be accessed by current students of the institution by direct login into their my.calpoly.edu portal. For further information, prospective students can call the MustangJOBS helpline at (805) 756-5976.
California Polytechnic State University Placements
Graduates from Cal Poly are hired in sectors like consulting, IT, engineering, project management, marketing, and financial services. Some of the highest paying degrees from the university are:
- MS- 96,000 USD/year
- BSc- 75,000 USD/year
All programmes are founded on the ‘Learn by Doing’ philosophy – meaning students participate and around 23% of Cal Poly students study abroad, the highest percentages in the California State University System. For international students, Cal Poly is a great way to learn engineering and other popular courses at a reasonable affordable price.
Courses & Fees
Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way
Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.
Courses
81
Fee from
₹18,03,313.8
Exams
TOEFL · IELTS
Showing 5 of 53 bachelors
Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 30.3 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 32,388 /Yr
Fee trendTuition progression
Admission Guide
Admission Process
California Polytechnic State University Admission 2022
- What all courses are offered? California Polytechnic State University offers 70 undergraduate and 35 postgraduate courses to the students in fields of business, management and science through 6 different colleges. Explore: Cal Poly programs
- How to Apply? The application process at California Polytechnic State University begins with an online application and requires a fee of 75 USD for both undergraduate and graduate courses.
- What are enrollments? The university has a total enrollment of more than 22,000 students, out of which 23% of students hail from international countries. Check what other students are saying, here!
- What are admission requirements? To secure admission, international students are required to submit a minimum of 80 in TOEFL-IBT, a 3.83/4 GPA, and recommendation letters.
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California Polytechnic State University Admission Deadlines
The university accepts undergraduate admissions in fall and postgraduate in fall, winter, and spring. Every year application guidelines for the same are declared by the university for student references.
What are undergraduate admission deadlines? The admission deadlines for undergraduate courses at California Polytechnic State University are tabulated below.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Filling Period | October 1- November 30 |
| Date for Application Changes | January 15 |
| International File Completion Deadline | March 1 |
| Admission Notification | April 1 |
California Polytechnic State University International Admission
International students enrolling at Cal Poly State University must note that the university not only takes GPA and profile in categorization but also other factors which make their academic and professional goals.
How to Apply?
Step 1: Click on the link, and start by creating your account
Step 2: Fill in your contact information
Step 3: Choose your username and Password
Step 4: Login in with your credentials and upload the required documents
English Language Proficiency Requirements
What are language requirements? The minimum requirements for language undergraduate and graduate courses at CPSU are tabulated below.
- IELTS-6.5
- TOEFL-80
US Student Visa
After the completion of the admission process students are required to apply for Visa to study in USA embassy located in their area. The application fee for Visa is $160 for students willing to study abroad.
Documents Required for Visa? The documents required for USA Student Visa are mentioned below.
- Nonimmigrant Visa application Form DS-160.
- Payment receipt of Application fee
- Photo of the student needs to be uploaded in the prescribed manner
- Transcripts
- Letter of Intent explaining departure after completion
- Printed Application
- You will be consulted for an interview by the US embassy in your country.
- Attend your Visa interview
Explore: Reasons for USA Visa Rejection!
California Polytechnic State University Undergraduate Admissions
The university takes into consideration various factors for undergraduate admissions. Students can apply online for admission in their preferred choice of course with a fee of $75.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements?
- Passport
- Transcripts
- Financial Statements
- Standardised test scores in USA
- Health insurance
- English proficiency test requirements
The university accepts admission by analyzing various criteria like work experience, extracurricular activities, sports, GPA, SAT/ACT scores, etc. A student willing to get enrolled at Cal Poly needs to be an achiever in all sections.
California Polytechnic State University Graduate Admissions
The California Polytechnic State University offers 35 master degree programs divided into 6 colleges. Students can apply online for admission in their preferred choice of postgraduate course with a fee of $75.
Graduate Admission Requirements?
| Program | LOR | GRE/GMAT | IELTS | TOEFL | Other Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters of Business Administration | 3 | Both are accepted | 6.5 | 80 | Statement of purpose, Resume |
| MS in Taxation | 2 | NA | 6.5 | 80 | Statement of purpose, Resume |
| MS in Biological Sciences | 3 | NA | 6.5 | 80 | Resume |
| MS in Architecture | 3 | NA | 6.5 | 80 | Portfolio, Resume |
| MS in Business Analytics | 2 | Both are accepted | 6.5 | 80 | Statement of purpose, Resume |
The California Polytechnic State University provides admission every year on a rolling basis. Students are awaited till April 1 for declaration of admission and provided time till May 1 to either accept or reject the admission. The university expects the applicant to be excellent in all fields and not just in academics. Every year, thousands of applications are examined on the basis of resume, standardized test scores, letter of recommendation, extracurriculars and portfolios.
FAQ’s
Q1 Do I need to take the SAT/ACT exam for admissions?
Ans. Due to the pandemic, the university is accepting scores of TOEFL and IELTS for admission. It is not required to appear for SAT/ACT exams.
Q2 What documents are required to get a visa?
Ans. The students are required to submit a Non-immigrant Visa application, payment receipt of Application fee, passport size photo, passport, transcripts and Letter of Intent explaining departure after completion.
Q3 Is it easy to get admission in Cal Poly?
Ans. The university has a stringent policy, due to which the acceptance rate is 30.8%. Students willing to get admission in Cal Poly require to be excellent in all fields including academics and extracurricular activities.
Q4 Do all courses require GRE scores?
Ans. No, only a few of the courses have criteria of GRE scores. Apart from that, English proficiency tests are the evaluation criteria for all courses.
Q5 What is the percentage of international students in Cal Poly?
Ans. 23% of the students are international in Cal Poly from countries all over the world.
Q6 Does Cal Poly require a letter of recommendation?
Ans. Yes, all the programs require a letter of recommendation in the process of admission. However, the number of letters depends upon the course taken.
Q7 Do Cal Poly accept Duolingo?
Ans. No, currently Cal Poly is only accepting IELTS and TOEFL scores for admission evaluation.
Placements & Recruiters
California Polytechnic State University Placement Details
California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.
Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in San Luis Obispo, California, United States.
Recruiters
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Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric
Average Package
N/A
Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.
Placement information is currently limited.
More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.
Rankings over the years
Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.
2022
Highlights
2022
2022
- Best overall country rank: #157
- Physics: #103 in country
- Top source: US News
- 2 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall, Physics
- 2 ranking records in 2022
2023
Highlights
2023
2023
- Best overall country rank: #157
- Overall: #157 in country
- Top source: US News
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 1 ranking record in 2023
2024
Highlights
2024
2024
- Best overall country rank: #94
- Overall: #94 in country
- Top source: US News
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 1 ranking record in 2024
2025
Highlights
2025
2025
- Best overall country rank: #101
- Overall: #101 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 2 ranking records in 2025
2026
Highlights
2026
2026
- Best overall country rank: #103
- Overall: #103 in country
- Top source: QS
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Overall
- 1 ranking record in 2026
Contact Information
Student Reviews & Ratings
Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary
Overall score
8.1/10
Top Rated
Based on 3 ratings
Rating Breakdown
Visual summary of rating distribution and categories
Live Summary
Academic
9.0/10
Faculty
8.7/10
Infrastructure
7.3/10
Accommodation
6.3/10
Placement
8.7/10
Extracurricular
8.7/10