Attendance Costs in 2016 - 2017 Varied Between $11,562 & $37,236
Worried about paying the full cost of $37,236 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 55.2% off tuition and fees. Also, 47.4% of freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with the average amount totaling $5,621. Students from low-income families receive an average of $14,514 in aid during their first year.
Cost for Residents of California (no aid)
| Tuition and fees | $9,075 |
| + Room and board | $12,507 |
| + Other expenses | $4,494 |
| Total cost | $26,076 |
Net Price for Residents of California (with average aid)
| Total cost | $26,076 |
| - Grants and scholarships | $5,621 |
| Net price | $20,455 |
Average Net Price for Low Income Residents of California
| Total cost | $26,076 |
| - Grants and scholarships | $14,514 |
| Net price | $11,562 |
Cost for Non-Residents (no aid)
| Tuition and fees | $20,235 |
| + Room and board | $12,507 |
| + Other expenses | $4,494 |
| Total cost | $37,236 |
Net Price for Non-Residents (with average aid)
| Total cost | $37,236 |
| - Grants and scholarships | $5,621 |
| Net price | $31,615 |
Average Net Price for Low Income Non-Resident Undergraduates
| Total cost | $37,236 |
| - Grants and scholarships | $14,514 |
| Net price | $22,722 |
Learn more about tuition and fees, room, board and other expenses, and financial aid options at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Projected Costs Between $46,167 and $219,058 For a Four Year Degree. Between $23,095 and $107,564 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 2016 - 2017 was $26,076. 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 $27,450 during their first year. By their senior year, that cost will be approximately $29,647, for a bachelor degree candidate ($28,163 for an associate degree candidate) for a total of $114,155 over the course of four years ($55,613 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 $158,627 based on a yearly growth rate of 1.8%. The expected two-year cost is $77,891.
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.
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 Costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | * | 3.5% | 2.6% |
| Freshman year | $11,550 | $21,929 | $27,450 |
| Senior year | $11,545 | $22,705 | $28,163 |
| Total 2-year net price | $23,095 | $44,634 | $55,613 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $8,798 | $17,004 | $21,186 |
| Total monthly payment | $266 | $514 | $640 |
| Total amount paid | $31,893 | $61,638 | $76,799 |
| Projected 4-Year Net Costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | * | 3.5% | 2.6% |
| Freshman year | $11,550 | $21,929 | $27,450 |
| Senior year | $11,533 | $24,341 | $29,647 |
| Total 4-year net price | $46,167 | $92,484 | $114,155 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $17,588 | $35,233 | $43,489 |
| Total monthly payment | $531 | $1,064 | $1,314 |
| Total amount paid | $63,755 | $127,717 | $157,644 |
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 Costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | * | 2.5% | 1.8% |
| Freshman year | $22,713 | $33,209 | $38,596 |
| Senior year | $22,708 | $34,036 | $39,295 |
| Total 2-year net price | $45,421 | $67,245 | $77,891 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $17,304 | $25,618 | $29,674 |
| Total monthly payment | $523 | $774 | $896 |
| Total amount paid | $62,725 | $92,863 | $107,564 |
| Projected 4-Year Net Costs | Low Income w/ Aid | w/ Average Aid | No Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual growth rate | * | 2.5% | 1.8% |
| Freshman year | $22,713 | $33,209 | $38,596 |
| Senior year | $22,699 | $35,752 | $40,730 |
| Total 4-year net price | $90,824 | $137,880 | $158,627 |
| 10-year loan interest @ 6.8% | $34,601 | $52,527 | $60,431 |
| Total monthly payment | $1,045 | $1,587 | $1,825 |
| Total amount paid | $125,425 | $190,408 | $219,058 |
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
- Do you know your deadlines?
Meeting application deadlines for both the college and the FAFSA is crucial to getting financial aid.
- When can you expect to begin receiving bills from the college?
- Is there an option to make payments in monthly installments?
