- Acceptance rate: 31% for fall 2024
- Average high school GPA: 4.03 (weighted), as reported by the college for 2025–26
- Average net price: $16,888 a year (2022–23)
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How does your GPA compare?
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Type your GPA to compare it with what California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo reported: an average weighted GPA of 4.03 (2025–26) and an acceptance rate of 31% for fall 2024.
Weighted GPAs above 4.0 can't be compared directly. Many colleges recalculate on their own scale, so use your unweighted GPA here.
A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo reviews each application.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo average GPA
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo reported an average high school GPA of 4.03 for its first-year students who submitted one (100% did), in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. It's a weighted average, which adds points for honors, AP or IB classes, so it can be higher than 4.0.
An average, not a cutoffColleges calculate GPA in different ways, so this figure can't be compared directly with your own GPA.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo acceptance rate
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admitted 21,416 of 68,371 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 31%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public 4-year university in San Luis Obispo, California, with 22,033 undergraduates.
Admission requirements
What California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:
| Admission factor | Status |
|---|---|
| High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average. | Required |
| High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned. | Required |
| College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school. | Required |
| Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work. | Considered if submitted |
| High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class. | Not considered |
| RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors. | Not considered |
| Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application. | Not considered |
| Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores. | Not considered |
| Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III. | Not considered |
| Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations. | Not considered |
| Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college. | Not considered |
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo didn't report SAT or ACT scores for its fall 2024 first-year students.
AP credit
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
It also awards credit for life experience, such as work or military service.
Average net price
First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $16,888 a year at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
How selective is California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo?
Selective: fewer than half of applicants got in. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admitted 31% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.
Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo?
Check California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo didn't consider SAT or ACT scores, even if you sent them (test blind), according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024).
How much does GPA matter at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo?
A lot: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo requires high school GPA, high school record and college preparatory program. It considers work experience if you send them. It doesn't consider high school class rank, recommendations, essay or personal statement, test scores, other tests, demonstration of competencies and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Can a 3.5 GPA get you into California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo?
It's below the average there. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's first-year students averaged a weighted GPA of 4.03, as reported by the college for 2025–26, so on the same weighted scale a 3.5 is below that average at a college that admitted 31% of applicants for fall 2024. An average isn't a cutoff: your courses, test scores and the rest of your application count too.
What GPA do you need to get into California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo?
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo doesn't set a minimum GPA we could verify. Its first-year students averaged 4.03 (weighted), as reported by the college in its 2025–26 Common Data Set.
What percent of applicants does California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo accept?
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's acceptance rate was 31% for fall 2024: it admitted 21,416 of 68,371 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.
Does California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo give credit for AP exams?
Yes. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
Does California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo consider legacy status?
No. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo doesn't consider whether a parent or other relative attended, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
What do students pay at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo after grants?
First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $16,888 a year at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Do you need to write an essay to apply to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo?
No. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo doesn't consider a personal statement or essay, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Before you apply, check California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.
Sources
- College Navigator: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
- California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Common Data Set 2025–26California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo: average high school GPA of first-year students.
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