For the academic year 2024-2025, Cal Poly's tuition & fees is $12,161 for state residents and $33,230 for out-of-state students. Compared to similar schools, its Cal Poly's tuition is somewhat low. The average tuition of the schools is $11,921 for in-state and $35,082 for out-of-state students.
The average tuition of similar schools to Cal Poly is higher than 4-year colleges' average, which is $8,863 for in-state and $25,541 for out-of-state students in 2025.
University of California-Davis has the most expensive tuition & fees of $47,692 and California State University-Long Beach has the lowest tuition & fees of $19,974 among the schools.
The average itemized cost for schools similar to Cal Poly is as follows:
- Undergraduate tuition & Fees is $11,921 for state residents and $35,082 for out-of-state.
- Cost per credit hour is $471 for state residents and $586 for out-of-state.
- Books & supplies cost is $1,356.
- Living cost is $17,926 (on-campus), $18,401 (off-campus).
Tuition Comparison Table: Cal Poly and its Similar Schools
The following table compares 2025 tuition, fees, and other colleges expenses between Cal Poly and similar schools to it. You can compare these schools on a variety of aspects at college comparison page.
2025 Tuition Comparison Between Similar Schools To California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo| School Name | Tuition & Fees | Cost Per Credit Hour | Books & Supplies | Living Costs |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State |
On Campus | Off Campus |
|---|
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA | $12,161 |
$33,230 | - |
$280 | $1,119 |
$18,792 |
$19,155 |
| California State University-FullertonFullerton, CA | $7,470 |
$20,070 | - |
$420 | $1,005 |
$19,080 |
$19,074 |
| California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA | $7,374 |
$19,974 | - |
$420 | $1,562 |
$15,612 |
$22,086 |
| California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA | $7,458 |
$20,058 | - |
$420 | $1,338 |
$13,804 |
$21,350 |
| University of California-DavisDavis, CA | $15,804 |
$47,692 | - |
- | $1,386 |
$19,426 |
$14,745 |
| University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA | $14,752 |
$46,640 | - |
- | $1,473 |
$18,991 |
$19,130 |
| University of California-RiversideRiverside, CA | $14,636 |
$46,524 | - |
- | $1,576 |
$20,691 |
$15,429 |
| University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA | $15,444 |
$47,332 | - |
- | $1,381 |
$20,279 |
$17,047 |
| University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI | $12,186 |
$34,218 | $471 |
$1,389 | $1,360 |
$14,658 |
$17,591 |
| Average | $11,921 | $35,082 | $471 | $586 | $1,356 | $17,926 | $18,401 |
|---|