California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Cal Poly SLO was $5,742 a year for in-state students and $22,902 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If these numbers sound impossible, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't always mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students pay much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until after graduation.

Tuition for international students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is $13,662 per year.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo meets 67% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo full-time are awarded $15,376 a year in financial aid, on average.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $18,665 in student loans per borrower.

Does California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,742 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-California residents can expect to pay 22,902 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Attending an insitution where you are eligible for in-state tuition can save on the overall cost of college. Take the time to confirm your state's eligibility criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Tuition for International Students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo can expect to pay around $13,662 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo-specific aid and scholarships.

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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Room and Board Costs at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Room and board at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo costs $18,042 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area is often pricey, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo campus is located in a suburb in California.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Total Cost of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

What will the cost of attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$5,742
Out-of-State Tuition	$22,902
Room and Board	$18,042
Board Only	$6,770
Other expenses	$1,848

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s tuition and fees change based on: •Academic program for both full and part-time students •Course load for both full and part-time students

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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Financial Aid

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In 2023, 6,956 of the 20,973 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo meets 67% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,376 a year. Around 33.7% of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $18,665 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$16,958
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo-Specific Loans	$8,533
Private Loans	$27,315

Most Common Loans for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Students
Federal Loans	33.25%
Institutional Loans	0.02%
Private loans	2.43%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo awarded 6,666 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $83.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $15 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo was $15,376 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$1,342
Net In-state, Off-campus	$5,446
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$33,878

What will attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo's net cost calculator on their website.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo does not have guaranteed tuition.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Cal Poly SLO Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Cal Poly SLO has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo's endowment, check with the school directly.

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