Tuition & net price

How much does California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo cost?

Published tuition is $13,596 in-state and $34,665 out-of-state, with a full cost of attendance of $32,265 a year. After aid, families pay between $7,253 and $27,772 depending on income.

In-state tuition$13,596before aid
Out-of-state$34,665before aid
Lowest net price$7,253families under $30k
Highest net price$27,772families over $110k

What families actually pay Average net price after grants and scholarships, by household income.

Household incomeNet price a yearShare of the sticker price
Under $30,000 $7,529 23%
$30,001–$48,000 $7,253 22%
$48,001–$75,000 $9,896 31%
$75,001–$110,000 $15,786 49%
Over $110,000 $27,772 86%

Net price is the federal measure of what students actually pay: total cost of attendance minus the grant and scholarship aid they receive. It is the only cost figure worth comparing between universities — the published tuition above is a list price that most students never pay in full.

Who pays how The mix of grant aid and borrowing at this university.

On Pell grants
19%
Take federal loans
25%
Typical repayment
$196/mo

A high Pell share means the university enrols many lower-income students, and usually that its net price for those families is well below the sticker price. A high loan share means the gap between aid and cost is being filled with borrowing — the repayment record shows how that works out afterwards.

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How the price compares Universities charging a similar amount in California.

UniversityIn-stateOut-of-stateCost of attendanceNet price (under $30k)
Fresno Pacific University $36,660 $36,660 $44,249 $11,133
Pacific Union College $37,173 $37,173 $49,404 $41,008
La Sierra University $37,710 $37,710 $51,459 $44,988
SOKA University of America $38,728 $38,728 $55,064 $12,020
California Baptist University $41,228 $41,228 $54,038 $22,298
San Diego Christian College $28,012 $28,012 $31,745 $992

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo costs: common questions

How much is tuition at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo?
Published tuition is $13,596 for in-state students and $34,665 for out-of-state students, before any aid.
What does California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo actually cost after financial aid?
It depends on family income. After grants and scholarships, families earning under $30,000 pay a net $7,529 a year, while families over $110,000 pay $27,772.
What is the total cost of attendance at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo?
$32,265 a year as the institution reports it — tuition, fees, housing, books and living costs combined. Almost nobody pays this in full; the net price above is what families actually pay.
Is California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo worth the money?
Graduates earn a median $90,768 ten years after starting, against $18,500 of median debt — see the full payback breakdown for the arithmetic.

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition and cost of attendance are as reported by the institution; net price is the average paid by students receiving federal aid, by household income band. Figures imported 28 Aug 2026.