Graduation Rate at Cal Poly

[updated for 2024-2025 graduation data]

At California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, the graduation rate is 86 % within 150% normal time, the retention rate is 96 %, and the transfer-out rate is 1 %, as of August 31, 2025.

Its graduation rate is much higher than the average rate when comparing similar colleges' rate of 49.72% (public Master's College and University with larger programs).

Explore California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Graduation Rates in Reasonable Completion Time

For the academic year 2024-2025, 3,787 students out of 4,383 candidates have completed their courses within 150% normal time (i.e. in 6 years for 4-year BS degree) at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

By gender, 1,800 male and 1,987 female students graduated the school last year completing their jobs in the period.

CandidatesCompletersGraduation Rates
Total4,3833,78786.40%
Men2,1371,80084.23%
Women2,2461,98788.47%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduation rate by gender

Graduation Rate By Race/Ethnicity

The following table shows graduation rate by race and at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

  • American Indian or Alaska Native: 85.71%
  • Asian: 88.94%
  • Black (Non-Hispanic): 60.87%
  • Hispanic: 82.95%
  • White: 87.62%
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 100.00%
  • Two or More Race: 81.98%
  • Unknown: 85.42%
Graduation Rate by Gender
TotalMaleFemale
American Indian or Alaska Native85.71%(6/7) 100.00%(2/2) 80.00%(4/5)
Asian88.94%(531/597) 85.67%(257/300) 92.26%(274/297)
Black (Non-Hispanic)60.87%(14/23) 58.33%(7/12) 63.64%(7/11)
Hispanic82.95%(535/645) 82.22%(259/315) 83.64%(276/330)
White87.62%(2,244/2,561) 85.87%(1,057/1,231) 89.25%(1,187/1,330)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander100.00%(11/11) 100.00%(4/4) 100.00%(7/7)
Two or More Race81.98%(273/333) 78.82%(134/170) 85.28%(139/163)
Unknown85.42%(123/144) 80.00%(56/70) 90.54%(67/74)
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduation rate by race

Transfer-out and Retention Rates

At Cal Poly, the transfer-out rate is 1.32%. Its transfer-out rate is much lower than the average rate when comparing similar colleges' rate of 19.27%.

Cal Poly's retention rate is 96% for full-time students and 60 % for part-time students last year. Its retention rate is higher than the average rate when comparing similar colleges' rate of 72.64%.


Non-Resident Alien Graduation Rate

A non-resident alien student is not a US citizen/green card holder and studies with a student visa, such as an F visa, in the United States. At California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 50 of 62 non-resident alien students completed their studies and the graduation rate was 80.65%.

Ratings & Review

Share your experiences and thoughts about California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. It will be a great help to applicants and prospective students!

Be the first reviewer
Compare Rivalry Schools
The following schools are frequently compared to Cal Poly. Compare them with important perspectives.
Members In BWC
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a member of Big West Conference (BWC). Check and Compare to other members.
Most Searched California Colleges (last 30 days)
Related Articles and Ads