California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

In 2022, tuition for full-time California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo students was $5,742 a year for in-state students and $22,902 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 11,880 per year for tuition at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: In-state vs. 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 students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-California residents can expect to pay 22,902 per year for tuition.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as California residents.

Attending an insitution where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Take the time to confirm your state's rules for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Is California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo's Tuition Different for International Students?

Cal Poly SLO has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo usually pay around $11,880 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Cal Poly SLO.

House and Food Costs at Cal Poly SLO

Room and board at Cal Poly SLO is $16,449 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the Cal Poly SLO's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Cal Poly SLO

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 the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. 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

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Cal Poly SLO

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. 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 plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget. At Cal Poly SLO, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city may be pricey, but there may be more buses, trains and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispois in a suburban setting in California.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Cal Poly SLO.

How Much Does Cal Poly SLO Cost?

What will the cost of attending Cal Poly SLO be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$5,742
Out-of-State Tuition	$22,902
Room and Board	$16,449
Board Only	$6,770
Other expenses	$1,515

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.

Cal Poly SLO’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 2022, 7,018 of the 21,093 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Cal Poly SLO meets 59.4% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $11,586 a year. Around 100% of Cal Poly SLO undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Cal Poly SLO graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $21,874 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$19,353
Cal Poly SLO-Specific Loans	$7,500
Private Loans	$34,524

Most Common Loans for Cal Poly SLO Students
Federal Loans	100%
Institutional Loans	100%
Private loans	100%

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 Cal Poly SLO 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 2022, Cal Poly SLO awarded 6,655 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $69 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $11.58 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Net Cost

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 Cal Poly SLO 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 Cal Poly SLO was $11,586 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Cal Poly SLO seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$7,020
Net In-state, Off-campus	$8,891
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$35,766

What will attending Cal Poly SLO 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 understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Cal Poly SLO'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.

Cal Poly SLO 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 offset the cost of attending. Some schools 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.

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Learn More About California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

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