San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Strong value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$32,265
Net Price$16,665
Median Earnings$90,768
Graduation Rate86.4%
Median Debt$15,396
Admission Rate31.3%
Student Count21,996
SAT AverageN/A

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $16,665
Money available $0
Still needed per year $16,665
Monthly gap $1,389

Four-year projection: about $66,660 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $15,396.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$90,768Total cost$32,265Net price$16,665Median debt$15,396

Value Score Comparison

California Polytechnic ...78.9Dataset avg54.3CA avg58.7
Median earnings62% better than dataset average
$90,768
Total annual cost25% better than dataset average
$32,265
Average net price22% better than dataset average
$16,665
Graduation rate29.6 percentage points better than dataset average
86.4%
Median debt5% better than dataset average
$15,396

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

CA Average

Value Score: 58.7

Net Price: $25,380

Earnings: $67,612

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $16,665, compared with reported total cost of $32,265.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $90,768 and the graduation rate is 86.4%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $15,396, while the loan share is 24.9%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 31.3% and Pell Grant share is 19.2%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationSan Luis Obispo, CA
Admission Rate31.3%
In-State Tuition$13,596
Out-of-State Tuition$34,665
Total Cost$32,265
Net Price$16,665
Median Earnings$90,768
Graduation Rate86.4%
Median Debt$15,396
Pell Grant Share19.2%
Loan Share24.9%
Average Faculty Salary$12,673
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 36.3 + graduation 21.6 + net price 9.4 + total cost 6.0 + debt 5.6 = 78.9/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings36.3$90,768 · max 40 pts
Graduation21.686.4% · max 25 pts
Net Price9.4$16,665 · max 15 pts
Total Cost6.0$32,265 · max 10 pts
Debt5.6$15,396 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.