About California Polytechnic State University

California Polytechnic State University Highlights 

California Polytechnic State University 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

College Info

California Polytechnic School Bill was enacted in 1901 and was signed by the governor at the time, Henry T. Sage. It was completed following a push by journalist Myron Angel. As a result, California's first polytechnic institution was founded. At first, it went by the name Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In 1924, the California State Board of Education took control of it. The campus of California Polytechnic State University is the second-largest in the nation. It has a 9178-acre surface area. The entire region promotes the university's "learn by doing" philosophy. In the County of Santa Cruz, there is farmland, the main campus, and 2 properties. It includes The Swanton Pacific Ranch as well. The university spans 3,200 acres and is located outside of Davenport. Students from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences benefit greatly from it.

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Science and Mathematics, the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, the College of Engineering, and the Orfalea College of Business are among the six colleges that make up California Polytechnic State University. Agricultural Business, Agricultural Communication, Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Systems Management, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering and Bioresource, Dairy Science, Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences, Environmental Management and Protection, Food Science, Forestry and Natural Resources, Nutrition, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism are the majors available under the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences.

English, graphic communication, history, journalism, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, Spanish, theatre arts, and anthropology and geography are among the subjects offered at the College of Liberal Arts. Majors in Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Kinesiology, Liberal Studies, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, Public Health, and Statistics are available in the College of Science and Mathematics. Architectural Engineering, Architecture, City and Regional Planning, Construction Management, and Landscape Architecture are the majors offered by the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. Civil engineering, biomedical engineering, general engineering, industrial engineering, etc. are among the majors provided by the college of engineering. There are business administration, economics, and industrial technology and packaging majors available at the Orfalea School of Business.

Famous graduates from this university include football coach John Madden, comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic, aerospace engineer Burt Rutan, congressman Devin Nunes, baseball shortstop Ozzie Smith, basketball player David Nwaba, football linebacker Chris Gocong, ex-representative Jeff Denham, ex-Apple Inc. CFO Peter Oppenheimer, ex-Lt. Governor of California Abel Maldonado, Monster Cable CEO Noel Lee, and mixed martial artist Chuck

California Polytechnic State University Rankings

• Forbes: In 2025, Cal Poly was ranked #57 in the nation, #18 in public colleges, and #14 in the West. It was also named the best public-master's university in California. 
• QS World University Rankings: In 2025, Cal Poly was ranked #1401+. 
• USNews.com: In Best Global Universities, Cal Poly was ranked #1021. 

Why California Polytechnic State University?

• It is renowned for its "learn by doing" educational style, which encourages students to combine classroom theory with real-world experience to find solutions to issues.
• In the US, Money Magazine ranked it 70th out of roughly 1500 institutions for its 2014 Best Colleges rating.
• Out of the top 100 best-value public colleges and universities in the US, Kiplinger Magazine placed it 43rd, and 7th in California.
• 19:1 student to professor ratio.

California Polytechnic State University Tuition Fees

Courses	Duration	Tuition Fees
MBA (1 Courses)	10 month	USD 37188
Engineering (2 Courses)	2 Year - 4 Year	USD 16293 - USD 20235
Science (2 Courses)	2 Year - 4 Year	USD 16293 - USD 20235
Information Technology (IT) (1 Courses)	2 year	USD 16293

Admission Standards - Very High

SAT	1220/1410
ACT	26/32
GPA	3.99

Applications Accepted - 38.4% 

Applications Due	Nov 30, 2022
Applicant Competition	High
Application Fee	$70

California Polytechnic State University Annual Cost to Attend

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

Fee	Cost
Out of State Resident Tuition	$17,622
Books and Supplies	$888
Other Fees	$4,329
Room and Board	$15,694
Budget for Other Expenses	$2,190
Total One Year Cost	$40,723