by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how Cal Poly San Luis Obispo measures up.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is ranked #1,002 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of B- (above average for value). Within California, it ranks #108 of 304 for value.
Among the majors Cal Poly San Luis Obispo offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Architectural Engineering | #1 of 23 |
| Engineering | #1 of 23 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | #2 of 8 |
| Dairy Science | #2 of 10 |
| General Engineering Science | #2 of 13 |
| Engineering Science | #2 of 13 |
| Agriculture | #3 of 9 |
| Bachelor's Degree | #3 of 5 |
| General Graphic Communications | #3 of 7 |
| Natural Resources Management & Policy, Other | #3 of 9 |
Read the full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo value report below — how it ranks within its state, how it ranks nationwide, what a degree actually costs, and whether it makes financial sense.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is ranked #6 out of #346 in California for quality and #108 out of #304 for California value.
Live in-state? You may qualify for a reduced price. Check the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo financial aid page to be sure.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is ranked #1,002 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is priced competitively for the quality of education it provides, earning it a good value recognition from College Factual.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo costs about $24,172. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $96,687 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $32,304 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $16,665 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $24,172 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $96,687 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What Cal Poly San Luis Obispo costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $129,216 | — | — |
| All Students | $96,687 | #1,002 | B- |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $66,660 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $129,216 | — | — |
| All Students | $96,687 | #108 | B |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $66,660 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $6,476 |
| $30K–$48K | $6,904 |
| $48K–$75K | $11,372 |
| $75K–$110K | $18,032 |
| Over $110K | $26,920 |
About 52% of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $12,264 per year. Get more details on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.