Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability and Cost
Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$20,491
Average Net Price By Family Income
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $11,075 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $30,995 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $17,220 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,089 |
| Tuition Payment Plan | Yes |
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
72%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
17%
Average Aid Per Year
$10,065
17%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,874
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$7,410
30%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$2,916
17%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,874
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$94,033,000
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$15,113,702
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
27%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,132
Students receiving federal loans
26%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,038
Average Other Loans Per Year
$22,410
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$17,000
Loan Default Rate
2%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$186
What Students Are Saying
As an Engineering and Agriculture school (primarily), and being dubbed The Best In The West college for years, it has its price tag, but when you get here and realize the quality or education and how much it offers opposed to other colleges...there really isn't anything better as far as a State University goes.
Ashley from Sun City, CA
Though Cal Poly is the most expensive of the CSU's, it is an excellent bargain. You truly do receive a UC level education at a CSU price tag. Cal Poly is a better school than many UC schools and though it isn't cheap, it is priced far below most UC schools.
Elizabeth from Roseville, CA
This is actually something I talk to my friends about all the time! I think it is the best bang for your buck you can possibly find. The tuition is about half of what you would pay at a UC and nothing compared to a private school. The education you are getting is still top notch. It’s the best school in the west whose highest degree is a Master’s. It’s also very highly ranked for Architecture and Engineering. I don’t know much about the quality for Liberal Arts majors, but I think it’s also very good. I know for anything technical or related to science it’s the best ranked school you can go to for the smallest price tag.
Rebecca from San Luis Obispo, CA
As an out-of-state student, I feel that the quality of the education that Cal Poly provides to its students is definitely worth the price. I'm getting an awesome education from professors who care about your success and constantly challenge your knowledge and critical thinking ability. It's cheaper than the UC schools and a lot of private schools, yet I feel that I'm getting a better education here than if I went to school elsewhere with a higher tuition.
Shannon from Honolulu, HI
Cheaper than any UC and getting a degree from Cal Poly (at least in engineering) is more valuable than many UC engineering degrees!
Zoe from Santa Barbara, CA
Compared to other California colleges, I was surprised to learn that Cal Poly was on the cheaper end of the stick. It still costs alot of $ to attend but its worth it. The teachers & curriculum you can't find anywhere else.
Jessica from Lompoc, CA
Although Cal Poly (along with every other school in CA) is experiencing budget cuts and increased tuition, it is still very affordable compared to other state schools as well as UC's. Plus Cal Poly has an extremely high graduation rate as well as job placement percentage.
Justin from Boulder Creek, CA
Cal Poly is one of the more expensive state schools but you receive the quality of education offered at a UC School. UC’s does not have much to offer that you cannot find here at Cal Poly. No, we do not offer graduate school, but we also do not have graduate students teaching our classes. The professors here are passionate, knowledgeable and experienced instructors. Cal Poly is by far the best deal because of the great location; price compared to similar schools, and the great education you will receive.
Current Student
Its the #3 Architecture school in the nation and the #2 engineering school whose highest degree is a masters and its one of the cheapest, it is the definition of bang for you buck. (according to us news and world report) I pay as much out of state as i would in state at u of maryland
Luke from Parkton, MD
The most expensive Cal State, but a great deal in terms of the education you are getting while paying less than a UC.
Alyssa from Huntington Park, CA
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