by our College Data Analytics TeamBelow you’ll find current in-state and out-of-state tuition and fee figures for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, together with how they compare nationally and their recent trend.
In the latest reported year, in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo were $13,596 annually. For students from out of state the figure was $34,665. In-state students receive a meaningful discount here.
Of that total, required fees amounted to $7,512 in-state and $15,981 out-of-state; the rest is tuition itself.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,084 | $18,684 |
| Fees | $7,512 | $15,981 |
| Total | $13,596 | $34,665 |
These tuition and fee numbers are for one year of attendance and do not include room and board.
Note that plenty of students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships that bring down the real cost they pay. The totals here are the list price.
How much does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo cost if you attend part time? Visit the Cost Per Credit Hour page for the per-credit figures.
For some context, here is how California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo tuition and fees compare to other colleges. Each rating shows whether the school runs above or below that group’s average.
| Nationwide | In CA | Similar Colleges | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Tuition & Fees | Expensive | Expensive | Expensive |
| In-State Tuition & Fees | Average | Average | Expensive |
Measured against schools nationwide, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is relatively pricey.
Keep in mind that sticker price is only part of the story — aid can change what you actually pay. Visit the California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Financial Aid page to learn more.
Tuition at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has moved over the last few reported years.
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Three Years Ago | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Two Years Ago | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| One Year Ago | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Most Recent Year | $6,084 | $18,684 |
This chart shows the way tuition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has tracked over the reported years.
In the latest reported year, out-of-state tuition rose 6.0%. Projecting that pace ahead one year puts tuition + fees around $36,754 next year.
At most colleges, tuition edges up a little each year, so a freshman should expect to pay more by senior year.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about college tuition and fees for additional information.
Averaged across those years, in-state tuition and fees increased by 10.44%, so in-state cost a year out lands around $15,014. Out-of-state tuition and fees grew on average by 7.36%, which puts out-of-state cost next year near $37,216.
If that pace holds, here is what tuition and fees could look like over the next five years:
| Academic Year | In-State Tuition & Fees | Out-of-State Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Next Year | $15,014 | $37,216 |
| In 2 Years | $16,580 | $39,955 |
| In 3 Years | $18,310 | $42,895 |
| In 4 Years | $20,220 | $46,052 |
| In 5 Years | $22,329 | $49,441 |
As you plan how to pay for college, fold in expected yearly increases — at this pace, four years of out-of-state tuition and fees projects to about $166,118, versus roughly $70,124 for in-state students.
A tuition number is just one part of the picture — grant aid and scholarships often reduce the actual price families pay.
For a closer look at aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, visit the California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Financial Aid page.
