California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo acceptance rate, scores and deadlines

San Luis Obispo, CA · public · 21,996 undergraduates

Acceptance rate 30.0% Fall 2025 · ↓1.4 pts
SAT Not used Test-blind
Tests, 2026–27 Test-blind From the admissions site

Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from Cal Poly SLO's admissions site.

Chances at Cal Poly SLO
1500
unweighted, 4.0 scale —
Your odds · Regular decision Target
25–28%
  • Cal Poly SLO is test-blind: it doesn't look at SAT or ACT scores.
  • So this range uses the admit rate for applicants without special hooks.
  • Cal Poly SLO admits 30.0% of applicants overall.

Data: Common Data Set 2025–26 · Test-blind for 2026–27

An estimate, not a guarantee. Save to my list

Acceptance rate

Cal Poly SLO acceptance rate by year

21,367 of 71,309 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 31.3% for Fall 2024.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 201520172019202120232025 30.0%
Show the numbers
Entering classAppliedAdmittedRateSource
Fall 202571,30921,36730.0%Common Data Set
Fall 202468,37121,41631.3%IPEDS
Fall 202363,73618,96429.8%IPEDS
Fall 202258,77417,88530.4%IPEDS
Fall 202154,57018,00833.0%IPEDS
Fall 202052,37120,12738.4%IPEDS
Fall 201954,07215,36628.4%IPEDS
Fall 201854,66316,49130.2%IPEDS
Fall 201748,58816,81734.6%IPEDS
Fall 201648,16214,20229.5%IPEDS
Fall 201546,82014,65131.3%IPEDS

2026–27 applications

Cal Poly SLO deadlines for 2026–27

Apply with Cal State Apply. Checked October 24, 2026 on Cal Poly SLO's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.

  1. Regular decision Apply by Decisions By April 1
Every 2026–27 deadline, in date order

Scores and GPA

Test scores and GPA at Cal Poly SLO

Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.

Cal Poly SLO is test-blind: scores it lists are not used in admission decisions.

SAT, middle 50% 1240–1420
40018.23% sent a score1600
ACT, middle 50% 28–33
1Enrolled, Fall 202536
Average high school GPA 4.03
Weighted, 99.62% reported a GPA
High school GPA of enrolled first-years (Fall 2025)
  • 4.063.8%
  • 3.75–3.9921.7%
  • 3.50–3.7410.2%
  • 3.25–3.493.3%
  • 3.00–3.240.8%
  • 2.50–2.990.3%

What counts

What Cal Poly SLO weighs

From section C7 of Cal Poly SLO's Common Data Set 2025–26.

Very important

  • Course rigor
  • GPA

Considered

  • Activities
  • Talent or ability
  • First-generation status
  • Where you live
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

Not considered

  • Class rank
  • Test scores
  • Essays
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Character
  • Alumni relation
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation
  • Demonstrated interest

Waitlist

Cal Poly SLO waitlist

8,237 students were offered a place on the waitlist for Fall 2025, and 599 were admitted from it.

Cost

What Cal Poly SLO costs

From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use Cal Poly SLO's net price calculator.

Tuition, in-state$15,039
Per year
Tuition, out-of-state$37,005
Per year
Average net price$18,832
After grants, aided students
Open Cal Poly SLO's net price calculator

Compare

Colleges with a similar acceptance rate

Close to Cal Poly SLO's 30.0%, from the same official data.

FAQ

Questions about Cal Poly SLO admissions

What is Cal Poly SLO's acceptance rate?

Cal Poly SLO admitted 21,367 of 71,309 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 30.0%. That is down from 31.3% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.

Is Cal Poly SLO test-optional for 2026–27?

Cal Poly SLO is test-blind for 2026–27: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission.

When are Cal Poly SLO's application deadlines for 2026–27?

Regular decision: November 30, 2026. Check Cal Poly SLO's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.

Where the numbers come from

Sources

Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.

My list

Plan Cal Poly SLO with the rest of your list.

Deadlines, balance and costs for every college you are thinking about. Free for six colleges.

Start my free plan Check my chances at Cal Poly SLO