We know people learn best when they do the work themselves. For more than a century, we’ve taught our students to work together using their heads and their hands to find solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. It’s why our alumni are prepared to hit the ground running and empowered to make a better future for California, our nation and our world.
- #856 Ranking
- 65 Bachelors
- 1,473 Academic Staff
- 21,812 Students
- 19 Students (int'l)
- 10,687 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
Bachelor's programmes
Engineering & Technology (17)
- B.Sc. Aerospace Engineering
- B.Sc. Biological Sciences
- B.Sc. Biomedical Engineering
- B.Sc. Computer Engineering
- B.Sc. Electrical Engineering
- B.Sc. General Engineering
- B.Sc. Industrial Engineering
- B.Sc. Materials Engineering
- B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering
- B.Sc. Software Engineering
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (15)
- B.Sc. Agricultural Science
- B.Sc. Animal Science
- B.Sc. Biochemistry
- B.Sc. Biological Sciences
- B.Sc. Chemistry
- B.Sc. Dairy Science
- B.Sc. Mathematics
- B.Sc. Microbiology
- B.A. Physics
- B.Sc. Physics
- B.Sc. Psychology
- B.A. Sociology
- B.Sc. Statistics
- B.Sc. Wine and Viticulture
Agriculture & Forestry (12)
- B.Sc. Agricultural Business
- B.Sc. Agricultural Science
- B.Sc. Animal Science
- B.Sc. Dairy Science
- B.Sc. Food Science
- B.Sc. Marine Sciences
- B.Sc. Wine and Viticulture
Arts, Design & Architecture (8)
- BArch Architecture
- B.F.A. Art and Design
- B.Sc. Graphic Communication
- BLArch Landscape Architecture
- B.A. Music
- B.A. Theatre Arts
Social Sciences (8)
- B.Sc. Child Development
- B.Sc. Economics
- B.A. Political Science
- B.Sc. Psychology
- B.A. Sociology
Business & Management (7)
- B.Sc. Agricultural Business
- B.Sc. Business Administration
- B.Sc. Construction Management
- B.Sc. Economics
- B.Sc. Graphic Communication
Humanities (7)
- B.A. English
- B.A. History
- B.Sc. Liberal Studies
- B.A. Music
- B.A. Philosophy
- B.A. Spanish
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences (6)
Medicine & Health (6)
- B.Sc. Animal Science
- B.Sc. Biological Sciences
- B.Sc. Biomedical Engineering
- B.Sc. Kinesiology
- B.Sc. Nutrition
- B.Sc. Public Health
Applied Sciences & Professions (4)
- B.Sc. Food Science
- B.Sc. Nutrition
- B.Sc. Wine and Viticulture
Computer Science & IT (3)
- B.Sc. Computer Engineering
- B.Sc. Computer Science
- B.Sc. Software Engineering
Education & Training (2)
- B.Sc. Child Development
- B.Sc. Liberal Studies
Hospitality, Leisure & Sports (2)
Journalism & Media (2)
- B.Sc. Journalism
About
History
The founding of California Polytechnic State University, with its “learn-by-doing” philosophy, began when local journalist Myron Angel gathered a group of citizens in 1894 to lobby for a state school in San Luis Obispo. On March 8, 1901, Governor Gage signed legislation to establish the California Polytechnic School.
Education
Cal Poly is a nationally ranked, four-year, comprehensive public university located inSan Luis Obispo, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's Central Coast. It is a distinctive learning community offering academically focused students a hands-on educational experience that prepares them for today’s scientific and technical world. Comprising six distinct colleges, the university offers 64 bachelor's degrees, 32 master's degrees, and 7 teaching credentials.
Research
The Office of Research and Economic Development provides leadership and support to Cal Poly faculty and students in their pursuit of excellence in their research and creative efforts.
Career
How career-ready are you? Choose the Career Navigation level that best describes you. To progress through the levels, select the action steps that seem most appealing and useful to you. Complete as many as you’d like and consider repeating any that you found particularly helpful. Before you know it, you’ll stand out and be ready for your next career step.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2021
GSSA 2021
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2021. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 8 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
University Ranking
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2023
856 127
2022
983 -58
2021
925
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2023
1201
2022
-
2021
-
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Services
Housing services
We are committed to offering a two-year, high-quality campus living and educational environment to Cal Poly students based on availability. University Housing is dedicated to providing housing to all new students; however, with student numbers varying each year, our ability to meet the demand may fluctuate, so pay attention to dates and schedules.
Off-Campus Housing Listing Services are also available for Students.
Library services
The mission of Robert E. Kennedy Library is to promote open and informed inquiry, foster collaboration and innovation, support the unique needs of every student and scholar at Cal Poly, and contribute to the cultural life of San Luis Obispo.
ICT services
- Serves as campus contact to answer questions regarding the ICT review process
- Ensures that ICT checklists and related documentation, reviews and approvals are complete
- Reviews and approves ICT products/services for compliance with campus technical standards
- Documents findings and requests clarification or additional information as needed
Medical services
Cal Poly Campus Health & Wellbeing, located next to the Rec Center, provides care by appointment and on a walk-in basis to students. In addition to ambulatory care, we offer lab testing, on-site X-Rays, prescription medications, counseling services, and holistic wellbeing services.
Health Insurance is strongly recommended.
Student Life
Campus life
Cal Poly's main campus features a pedestrian-friendly core, convenient parking and connections to San Luis Obispo County's transportation services.
Sports facilities
The mission of the Club Sports Program at Cal Poly is to provide a form of athletic and educational activity which is an integral part of collegiate life. It provides a common theme for a diversified student body, faculty, staff, and alumni to operate as partners both inside and outside the community. The Club Sports program at Cal Poly promotes the positive values of physical activity, learned skills, team development, and sportsmanship acquired through participation in competitions and organized activities.
Student clubs
- IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu
- IEEE Consumer Electronics Society Student Branch
- IEEE Power and Energy Society (IEEE-PES) Student Branch
- Cal Poly Racing
- Audio Engineering Society club
Accreditation
The University is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Senior College and University Commission.
Student Reviews
Learning by doing Calpoly
Anonymous rated 5 out of 5 stars
I really like that the motto learning by doing was applied in many courses
Growing Into Myself
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
My overall experience at Cal Poly was much different than what I had expected. Before enrolling, I had never seen the campus. I was shocked by all the people and majors. I gained various new world views about politics, religion, race, and morality. I was also very surprised by the heavy influence of agriculture. In my hometown, no one wore cowboy hats, owned cows or talked...
I wanna study abroad
Anonymous rated 3 out of 5 stars
Insufficient facilities
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