The founding of California Polytechnic State University, with its “learn-by-doing” philosophy, began when local journalist Myron Angel gathered a group of citizens in 1894 to lobby for a state school in San Luis Obispo. On March 8, 1901, Governor Gage signed legislation to establish the California Polytechnic School.
Cal Poly is a nationally ranked, four-year, comprehensive public university located inSan 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. Comprising six distinct colleges, the university offers 64 bachelor's degrees, 32 master's degrees, and 7 teaching credentials.
The Office of Research and Economic Development provides leadership and support to Cal Poly faculty and students in their pursuit of excellence in their research and creative efforts.
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Below you will find scholarships related to California Polytechnic State University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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Based on 17 reviews
Cal Poly's motto is "Learn By Doing", which genuinely represents the student experience at this university. Cal Poly ensures that students begin in program courses -not just general education modules- from their first term, and encourages applied work in all fields of study. Though the rigorous academic schedule (often heard as "25-35" to represent 25-35 hours per week dedicated to schoolwork) is taxing, the smaller class sizes and faculty accessibility made it easy to engage with TAs and professors to get extra help. Personally, frequently attending office hours was what enabled me to secure several academic and professional references from my program. Outside of academics, there is an abundance of student and campus organizations that allow for development of social circles outside of class. Overall, I loved my time at Cal Poly - the quality of education and experience I received was well worth the hard nights and busy days of study.
Excellent university, especially for the price. The school really practices what it preaches in terms of "Learn By Doing". Very hands on classes that made me and other students very employable. Many companies recruit specifically from Cal Poly because they know we have real-world project experience. Social scene is also good. Beautiful surroundings, so lots of great hikes and beaches. Students tend to have a very active lifestyle. While everyone is very friendly, the student body is comprised of mostly younger students (18-25), so if you are more mature student it may be harder to fit in.
J'aimerais bien évolué dans le domaine en Génie civil
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 180 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1021 | 1098 | 1278 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By TopUniversities
Dropped 200 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1401 | 1201 | 1401 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
We are committed to offering a two-year, high-quality campus living and educational environment to Cal Poly students based on availability. University Housing is dedicated to providing housing to all new students; however, with student numbers varying each year, our ability to meet the demand may fluctuate, so pay attention to dates and schedules.
Off-Campus Housing Listing Services are also available for Students.
The mission of Robert E. Kennedy Library is to promote open and informed inquiry, foster collaboration and innovation, support the unique needs of every student and scholar at Cal Poly, and contribute to the cultural life of San Luis Obispo.
Cal Poly Campus Health & Wellbeing, located next to the Rec Center, provides care by appointment and on a walk-in basis to students. In addition to ambulatory care, we offer lab testing, on-site X-Rays, prescription medications, counseling services, and holistic wellbeing services.
Health Insurance is strongly recommended.
Cal Poly's main campus features a pedestrian-friendly core, convenient parking and connections to San Luis Obispo County's transportation services.
The mission of the Club Sports Program at Cal Poly is to provide a form of athletic and educational activity which is an integral part of collegiate life. It provides a common theme for a diversified student body, faculty, staff, and alumni to operate as partners both inside and outside the community. The Club Sports program at Cal Poly promotes the positive values of physical activity, learned skills, team development, and sportsmanship acquired through participation in competitions and organized activities.
The University is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Senior College and University Commission.
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