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California Polytechnic State U, San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State U, San Luis Obispo

About This Campus

For more than 100 years, Cal Poly has intentionally combined a theoretical approach to its curriculum with practical, professional, and experiential learning opportunities to offer a "Learn by Doing" education. Students are prepared to be well-rounded professionals and whole-system thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders who can adapt, evolve, inspire, and succeed. Cal Poly students enjoy one of the largest, most comprehensive university facilities in the U.S., consisting of a 6,000 acre main campus, an oceanographic research facility in nearby Avila Beach, and a 3,000 acre field laboratory north of Santa Cruz, California. From picture-perfect Mediterranean weather to tasty cuisine, award-winning wines, breathtakingly beautiful hiking and soft sandy beaches- there is something for everyone here in San Luis Obispo!

Location Information

Cal Poly is in San Luis Obispo, a city of about 45,000 on California's central coast, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The city and university share a neighborly, small-campus, small-town atmosphere.

Helpful Information

Cal Poly is a nationally ranked, four-year, comprehensive public university located in San Luis Obispo, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's Central Coast. It is a distinctive learning community offering academically focused students a hands-on educational experience that prepares them for today's scientific and technical world. Cal Poly ranked "Best in the West" for the 28th consecutive year with U.S. News & World Report.

2023/2024 Placement

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Host Payment
Limited
Home Payment
Closed

2024/2025 Placement

Learn more about Chance of Placement
and choosing alternate options.

Fast Facts

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Location | San Luis Obispo
Population | 48,399
Enrollment | 21,369
Language | English
Calendar | Quarter
Canada | Home Payment
Term Dates
Fall | 9/13-12/10
Winter | 01/3-03/18
Spring | 3/28-06/10

Campus Diversity

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1st Nation/Native | 0%
Asian | 13%
Black | 1%
Hawaiian/P.I. | 0%
Hispanic/Latino | 18%
Two or more | 7%
White | 54%
Other | 7%
International | 0%

Academics

RegistrationClosed Programs
Art and design, music, wine and viticulture.

Limitations
1:1 placements for computer science, business administration, business education, business management, business information systems, international business, accounting, economics, and entrepreneurship majors. Audition or portfolio may be required for admission to music, theater, architecture, and some art classes. Architecture requires a portfolio review soon after the March placement, and fourth-year status. Placements are contingent upon portfolio review approval. Some upper-division graphic communication and journalism courses are restricted to majors and required permission. Priority will be given to students whose majors are similar to the majors of our outgoing students. Please keep in mind that you will need to be flexible in the courses you can take in order to be successful at Cal Poly. Pre-approving more courses then you plan on taking is the best practice. Please keep in mind that courses may have specific prerequisites and it may take time to verify you meet them prior to receiving a permission number. Please note that enrollment in courses is not guaranteed even if the prerequisite is met at the home campus. Most departments are impacted so flexibility is key.

Notable Academic Programs

  • City Planning
  • Aerospace Engineering

Options
Honors Access: Yes

Undergraduate Majors Open to NSE Students

Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Agricultural Business... ++ show all

Conditions

GPA and Other Academic Requirements
  • No students accepted from NSE members within my own state
  • 3.00 GPA
  • Seniors are discouraged from applying and all students must have great flexibility with the courses they plan to take. All students must have a declared major at the time of placement. Students who were previously enrolled at Cal Poly are not eligible for exchange.
Exchange Preferences
  • Full-year exchange Accepted
  • Single term exchange Fall Only
Non-Native English Speakers
  • TOEFL: must have a score of 550.00 paper, 213.00 computer or 80.00 Internet
  • IELTS: must have a score of 6.50
Summer Exchange
  • Not available
International Students (Visa Students)
  • Will accept Home/Host Pay
Canadian Students
  • Will accept Home Payment Pay

Tuition / Finances

Figures per Quarter are current as of 06/03/22

Finances
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice.
  • Two semesters = one academic year
  • Three quarters = one academic year
Tuition and Fees Per Quarter - Host Payment Students
  • Estimated cost: $3674.
  • Expect 5-15% increase for the subsequent academic year.
  • Figures are based on 15 hours. Actual costs may be greater or less depending upon your actual enrollment.
  • Figures do not include costs you will incur for course specific enrollment (e.g., laboratory courses, student teaching, studio art)
  • See below for credit hour restrictions and/or miscellaneous fees applicable to Host Payment students.
Tuition and Fees - Home Payment Students
  • No tuition/fees are paid to the host campus.
  • Figures do not include costs you will incur for course specific enrollment (e.g., laboratory courses, student teaching, studio art)
  • See below for credit hour restrictions and/or miscellaneous fees applicable to Home Payment students.
Maximum Credit Hours Per Quarter
  • Host Payment: 22
  • Home Payment: 22

Financial Aid for NSE Students
Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Miscellaneous Fees - Per Quarter

Purpose Amount Period Plan Status
Housing Deposit $500 Year Host & Home Mandatory
Parking Fee $660 Year Host & Home Optional
Orientation Fee $200 Year Host & Home Optional

Room / Meals

Figures are current as of 06/03/22

On-Campus Housing Per Quarter
  • On-Campus Housing
  • 38% living on campus
  • Double: $5483 (includes meals)
  • Full-year contract required for a full-year exchange
  • Maximum unrestricted housing reserved: 10
Off-Campus Housing
  • Off-Campus Housing
  • Approximate monthly cost: $1200
  • Proximity to campus: within one mile
  • Local Public Transportation Available to Campus
Notes About Housing
For the 2022-2023 academic year, students were required to complete their housing contract and pay their first installment payment by May 1st. The date for the 2023-2024 academic year has yet to be set but will likely be similar.

Meal Plans

Notes About Meal Plans
NSE students typically live in apartments (Cerro Vista or Poly Canyon Village) and no meal plan is required. For more information, see the Campus Dining website https://www.calpolydining.com/diningprograms/

Health

Figures per Quarter are current as of 06/03/22

Important Notes about Health Insurance
Cal Poly does not require proof of health insurance but does include the following within your tuition and fees:

Health Services Fee-The Health Services Fee supports the student Health Services department as well as Health and Wellness programs on the Cal Poly campus.

Health Facilities Fee-The Health Facilities Fee helps cover the maintenance costs of student Health Centers.

Exchange with Canada - Health Insurance
Students do not need to purchase health insurance.

Requirements

Other Health Related Comments
Immunization records are submitted via the student portal. Directions on how to submit immunization records are available here: https://chw.calpoly.edu/health/immunizations

All data in this document is the responsibility of the campus and has been provided by the campus NSE coordinator.
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