California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California · Public · 31.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 96/100 · Exceptional Value
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $13,596/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $34,665/yr |
| Average net price | $16,665/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $66,660 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $90,768 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $54,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $196 |
| Estimated payback period | 3.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 86.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 21,996 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,529 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,253 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,896 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,786 |
| $110,001+ | $27,772 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $110,902 | A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $106,750 | A |
| Computer Science | $154,784 | A |
| Biology | $69,854 | C |
| Electrical Engineering | $125,240 | B+ |
| Animal Sciences | $54,805 | C |
| Construction Management | $118,331 | A |
| Civil Engineering | $101,072 | B+ |
| Psychology | $60,466 | D |
| Computer Engineering | $148,950 | A |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is $13,596/year ($34,665/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,665/year, or roughly $66,660 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,529/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,772/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $196 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $90,768 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.34 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 88.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 91.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 88.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 89.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 31.3% |
| Enrollment | 21,996 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 19.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,673 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (this school) | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 94 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | 94 | $14,091 | $78,466 |
| Clemson University | 86 | $22,253 | $71,513 |
| California State University-Stanislaus | 82 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $66,660 and median graduate earnings of $90,768 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 3.7 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 86.4% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $18,500 is very manageable against $90,768 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.