Official NCES IPEDS & Common Data Set Admissions Statistics (2025-2026 Cycle)
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Regional Public Master's Public polytechnic university San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Acceptance Rate

Comprehensive admissions statistics, middle 50% SAT/ACT test score percentiles, GPA requirements, deadlines, and cost of attendance according to official NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

Official Acceptance Rate
29.8%

30 admitted per 100 applicants

Total Applicants
68,000
Undergraduate pool
Total Admitted
20,264
Offers extended
Enrolled Freshmen
5,100
Yield: 25.2%
Middle 50% SAT
1330-1480
25th-75th Percentile
Middle 50% ACT
28-33
Composite score
Average High School GPA
3.92
Unweighted 4.0 scale

Calculate Your Chances of Admission to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Simulate how your personal high school GPA and standardized test scores compare against Cal Poly SLO's accepted cohort.

College Admissions Chances Calculator

Evaluate admission odds based on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores against official IPEDS benchmarks

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3.85
Composite SAT Score 1480
Harvard University
Institutional Acceptance Rate: 3.4%
Reach School
Estimated Admission Likelihood
6% - 10% (~2.4x baseline rate)
Reach (<35%) Target (35%-70%) Safety (>70%)
Academic Profile vs Middle 50% Benchmarks:
Your GPA vs School Avg
3.85 vs 3.98 Below Avg
Your SAT vs Mid-50%
1480 vs 1490-1580 Near 25th %
Strategic Recommendations for this College:

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Cal Poly SLO Standardized Test Score Distributions

Breakdown of the 25th percentile (bottom quarter) vs 75th percentile (top quarter) of matriculated students.

SAT Middle 50% Distribution

1600 Scale
Composite Total Range 1330 – 1480
Reading & Writing (EBRW) 650 – 720
Math Section 670 – 760
Current Testing Policy Test-Blind

ACT & GPA Academic Benchmarks

36 Scale / 4.0 GPA
ACT Composite 25th Percentile 28
ACT Composite 75th Percentile 33
Average High School Unweighted GPA 3.92 / 4.00
Estimated Class Rank Top 10% of high school graduating class

Application Deadlines & Admissions Plans

Regular Decision (RD) Deadline November 30
Early Application Deadline N/A
Early Admissions Plan Type Cal State Priority
Application Fee $70 (Fee waivers accepted)

Tuition & Estimated Cost of Attendance

In-State Tuition & Fees $10,329 / year
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees $28,809 / year
Institutional Type Public polytechnic university
Official Admissions Portal Visit Cal Poly SLO

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Admissions FAQ

Frequently asked questions regarding admission requirements, GPA, and test percentiles for Cal Poly SLO.

What is the acceptance rate for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo?

The official undergraduate acceptance rate for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) is approximately 29.8%. For every 100 applicants, around 30 students are admitted, according to latest NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

What GPA do you need to get into Cal Poly SLO?

Admitted students to Cal Poly SLO typically have an average unweighted high school GPA of around 3.92 on a 4.0 scale. Most successful applicants take rigorous AP, IB, or Honors courses and rank in the top quartile of their graduating class.

What are the middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for Cal Poly SLO?

The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1330 to 1480. For the ACT, the middle 50% composite score is 28 to 33. Scoring in the upper 75th percentile significantly increases your admissions chances.

What is the application deadline for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo?

The regular decision application deadline for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is November 30. Early applicants typically submit their materials by N/A under the Cal State Priority admissions plan.

Is Cal Poly SLO test-optional in 2025-2026?

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo's testing policy status: Test-Blind. Please verify program-specific requirements on the official admissions portal before submitting.