Paying for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

In-StateOut-of-State
2024 Undergraduate Tuition & Fee $11,075 7.33% $30,995 9.80%
2024 Graduate Tuition & Fee $12,509 6.43% $22,013 3.56%
The 2024 tuition & fees of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) are $11,075 for California residents and $30,995 for out-of-state students. Its tuition & fees is much higher than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $19,198 based on out-of-state tuition rate. Its tuition & fees has not risen since 2019 at Cal Poly.
50% of enrolled undergraduate students have received grants or scholarships and the average aid amount is $7,853. It could cover 25.34% of full tuition amount. After receiving the financial aid, the net price is $24,468 for California residents and $44,388 for out-of-state students including tuition, fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs.
Cal Poly's 4-year tuition is $46,868 for California residents and $137,059 for out-of-state students, based on current tuition and change rate. The estimated 4-year COA including living costs and personal expenses is $138,223 for California residents and $228,415 for out-of-state students.
Explore California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Tuition, Fees, Living Costs, and Cost of Attendance (COA)

Undergraduate Program Tuition & Fees

For the academic year 2023-2024, the undergraduate tuition & fees at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is $11,075 for California residents and $30,995 for out-of-state students. It has been risen by 7.33% for California residents and increased by 9.80% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year. Its in-state undergraduate tuition & fees is a little bit higher than the average amount ($9,590) and its out-of-state undergraduate tuition & fees is much higher than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $19,198.
The 2025 estimated undergraduate tuition & fees of Cal Poly is $11,886 for California residents and $34,032 for out-of-state students, a 9.8% increase compared to 2024's rate.
Cal Poly Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
YearIn-StateOut-of-StateOn Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023$10,319 $28,229$18,693
2023-2024$11,075$30,995$20,157
Change % 2023-20247.33%9.80%7.83%
2024-2025$11,886$34,032$21,736

Graduate Program Tuition & Fees

For graduate programs, the in-state graduate tuition & fees is $12,509 and out-of-state tuition & fees is $22,013. Its in-state graduate tuition & fees is a little bit higher than the average amount ($10,292) and its out-of-state graduate tuition & fees is higher than the average amount for similar schools' tuition of $17,479.
The 2025 estimated tuition & fees at Cal Poly is $13,314 for California residents and $22,796 for out-of-state students , a 3.6% increase compared to 2024's rate.
Cal Poly Graduate Tuition & Fees
YearIn-StateOut-of-StateOn Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2022-2023$11,753 $21,257$18,693
2023-2024$12,509$22,013$20,157
Change % 2023-20246.43%3.56%7.83%
2024-2025$13,314$22,796$21,736

Cost Per Credit Hour

The below table describes the cost per credit hour for part-time students and/or full-time students who take additional courses more than regular credit hours at Cal Poly. The undergraduate cost per credit hour is -$1 for California residents and $264 for out-of-state students. The graduate tuition per credit hour is -$1 for California residents and $264 for out-of-state students.
Per Credit Hour Charge (2023-2024)
YearIn-StateOut-of-State
Undergraduate2022-2023$0$264
2023-2024-$1$264
2024-2025-$264
Graduate2022-2023-$264
2023-2024-$264
2024-2025-$264

Cost of Attendance with Living Costs and Books & Supplies

The living costs including for room, board, transpiration, and other personal expenses is $20,157 for year 2024. The on-campus living costs increased by 7.83% compared to the previous year. The off-campus living costs increased by 12.23% compared to the previous year.
The Cal Poly's 2024 on-campus COA is $32,321 for state residents and $52,241 for out-of-state students. The off-campus COA is $33,143 for state residents and $53,063 for out-of-state students.
2024 Cost of Attendance (COA) At Cal Poly
On-CampusOff Campus
Tuition & Fees (In-State)$11,075
Tuition & Fees (Out-of-State)$30,995
Room & Board$17,220$18,042
Personal Expenses$2,937$2,937
Books & Supplies$1,089
COA (In-State)$32,321$33,143
COA (Out-of-State)$52,241$53,063
Updated with 2023-2024 tuition (Last update: 03/01/2024)
Cost estimates for 2024-2025 are based on last year's rate of change.

Cal Poly Tuition Charts

The following charts visualize tuition, fees, living costs, and other expenses at Cal Poly. You can enlarge the chart to view detailed information.

4-Years Costs of Attendance

How Much is the tuition for 4 years at Cal Poly?

For the entering class 2024, the estimated tuition for 4 years at Cal Poly is $46,868 for California residents and $137,059 for out-of-state students.
The estimation excludes the book, supplies, and living costs before receiving any financial aid. See the other tabs for estimating 4-year total costs of attendance and after financial aid. The next table shows the estimated 4-years tuition & fees for the next 5 admission years. The estimation is based on 4-years changes in tuition & fees at the school.
Cal Poly 4 Years Tuition & Fees Estimates
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Entering Fall 2024)In-State$11,326$11,583$11,845$12,114$46,868
Out-of-State$32,251$33,558$34,918$36,333$137,059
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)In-State$11,583$11,845$12,114$12,388$47,930
Out-of-State$33,558$34,918$36,333$37,805$142,613
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)In-State$11,845$12,114$12,388$12,669$49,016
Out-of-State$34,918$36,333$37,805$39,337$148,392
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)In-State$12,114$12,388$12,669$12,956$50,127
Out-of-State$36,333$37,805$39,337$40,931$154,406
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)In-State$12,388$12,669$12,956$13,250$51,263
Out-of-State$37,805$39,337$40,931$42,590$160,663

COA including Books, Living Costs and Personal Expenses

The table shows the 4-years estimation of total costs of attendance (COA). It includes the tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, room & board charges, and other living expenses.
For the students who were admitted in Fall 2024, the estimated 4-years COA is $138,223 for California residents and $228,415 for out-of-state students.
Cal Poly 4 Years COA
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Entering Fall 2024)In-State$33,191$34,084$34,947$35,833$138,223
Out-of-State$54,116$56,059$58,075$60,165$228,415
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)In-State$34,084$35,002$35,888$36,798$141,948
Out-of-State$56,059$58,075$60,165$62,333$236,632
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)In-State$35,002$35,946$36,856$37,789$145,776
Out-of-State$58,075$60,165$62,333$64,580$245,153
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)In-State$35,946$36,916$37,850$38,808$149,711
Out-of-State$60,165$62,333$64,580$66,912$253,990
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)In-State$36,916$37,912$38,871$39,855$153,755
Out-of-State$62,333$64,580$66,912$69,330$263,155

Actual COA after Receiving Financial Aid

Last year, 50% of enrolled undergraduate students have received grants or scholarship aid. It includes any financial aid from the federal government, state, local, institute, and other sources known by the institution. It excludes federal/private student loans.
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $106,811 for California residents and $197,003 for out-of-state students.
Cal Poly 4 Years COA after Receiving Financial Aid
ResidencyFreshmenSophomoreJuniorSenior4 Years Total
Class of 2028 (Entering Fall 2024)In-State$25,338$26,231$27,094$27,980$106,811
Out-of-State$46,263$48,206$50,222$52,312$197,003
Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025)In-State$26,231$27,149$28,035$28,945$110,536
Out-of-State$48,206$50,222$52,312$54,480$205,220
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026)In-State$27,149$28,093$29,003$29,936$114,364
Out-of-State$50,222$52,312$54,480$56,727$213,741
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027)In-State$28,093$29,063$29,997$30,955$118,299
Out-of-State$52,312$54,480$56,727$59,059$222,578
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028)In-State$29,063$30,059$31,018$32,002$122,343
Out-of-State$54,480$56,727$59,059$61,477$231,743

Compare Tuition with Similar Colleges

The following table compares tuition & fees between California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and its similar schools. The similar schools are based on academic factors such as school type, level, and rivalry schools.
Tuition Comparison with Similar Schools to Cal Poly
In-StateOut-of-State
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo$11,075$30,995
University of California-Riverside$14,170$44,947
California State University-Northridge$7,095$18,975
University of California-Irvine$14,237$45,014
University of California-Davis$15,247$46,024
University of California-Santa Barbara$14,965$45,742
Related Articles and Ads