College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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Can You Afford California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo?

Concerned about paying for college? Take a look at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and student loans, then calculate the net price based on your income level to determine if you can afford to attend this school.

Attendance Costs in 2020 - 2021 Varied Between $13,016 & $44,743

Worried about paying the full cost of $44,743 to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo? That number can be deceiving, as the net amount most students will pay varies significantly.

For students living in California, the university offers a discount of 61.2% off tuition and fees. Also, 50.8% of freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with the average amount totaling $5,867. Students from low-income families receive an average of $15,827 in aid during their first year.

Cost for Residents of California (no aid)

Tuition and fees$10,071
+ Room and board$15,694
+ Other expenses$3,078
Total cost$28,843
Affordability Score (43 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Net Price for Residents of California (with average aid)

Total cost$28,843
- Grants and scholarships$5,867
Net price$22,976
Affordability Score (34 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Average Net Price for Low Income Residents of California

Total cost$28,843
- Grants and scholarships$15,827
Net price$13,016
Affordability Score (66 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Cost for Non-Residents (no aid)

Tuition and fees$25,971
+ Room and board$15,694
+ Other expenses$3,078
Total cost$44,743
Affordability Score (24 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Net Price for Non-Residents (with average aid)

Total cost$44,743
- Grants and scholarships$5,867
Net price$38,876
Affordability Score (7 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Average Net Price for Low Income Non-Resident Undergraduates

Total cost$44,743
- Grants and scholarships$15,827
Net price$28,916
Affordability Score (15 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Learn more about tuition and fees, room, board and other expenses, and financial aid options at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Projected Costs Between $50,908 and $288,669 For a Four Year Degree. Between $25,618 and $137,985 For a Two Year Degree.

It can be a bit scary to look at the total projected cost of a college education over the course of a multi-year degree, however, doing so will help you better understand the financial commitment you are making.

The overall cost for on-campus, in-state students to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo in 2020 - 2021 was $28,843. To calculate future costs, we looked at the prior five years of data and determined that this cost increased an average of 2.6% each year.

If this trend continues, we expect the full cost for incoming freshmen to be $30,362 during their first year. By their senior year, that cost will be approximately $32,793, for a bachelor degree candidate ($31,152 for an associate degree candidate) for a total of $126,268 over the course of four years ($61,514 over the course of two years). These numbers do not take into consideration financial aid, which reduces this overall cost by varying amounts per student.

The cost for out-of-state students is more, with an overall expected four-year cost of $209,034 based on a yearly growth rate of 4.5%. The expected two-year cost is $99,920.

Remember, the full costs quoted above are not what most students will pay, and the net price varies quite a bit based on individual circumstances.

Average Net Price at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

Cost With Interest for Residents of California

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*4.8%2.6%
Freshman year$12,850$25,244$30,362
Senior year$12,768$26,461$31,152
Total 2-year net price$25,618$51,705$61,514
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$9,759$19,698$23,435
Total monthly payment$295$595$708
Total amount paid$35,377$71,403$84,949
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*4.8%2.6%
Freshman year$12,850$25,244$30,362
Senior year$12,605$29,073$32,793
Total 4-year net price$50,908$108,515$126,268
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$19,394$41,340$48,104
Total monthly payment$586$1,249$1,453
Total amount paid$70,303$149,855$174,372

Cost With Interest for Out-Of-State Residents

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*5.2%4.5%
Freshman year$32,840$43,032$48,860
Senior year$34,998$45,274$51,059
Total 2-year net price$67,838$88,307$99,920
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$25,844$33,642$38,066
Total monthly payment$781$1,016$1,150
Total amount paid$93,682$121,948$137,985
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*5.2%4.5%
Freshman year$32,840$43,032$48,860
Senior year$39,748$50,115$55,758
Total 4-year net price$144,884$186,055$209,034
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$55,195$70,880$79,634
Total monthly payment$1,667$2,141$2,406
Total amount paid$200,079$256,935$288,669

Visit net price and financial aid to learn more about the total cost of attending California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.

Further Questions to Consider

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