• University

    University

    our university

    University Intro
    Information
    Virtual Tours
    Student Origins
    Question: Where are Cal Poly students coming from?
    Answer: Everywhere!
    Our students come from across the world and bring their diverse perspectives to add to the Cal Poly community. However, from wherever our students originate, their paths merge to graduating from one of the finest universities on the west coast.
    Campus
    The main campus’ 4,000 acres holds a mixture of historical testaments to the past and monuments of efficient design for the future. Explore our campus through a 360 degree perspective.
    History
    Beginning with an idea in the mid-19th century to today, Cal Poly’s legacy is filled with thousands of successful alumni. Watch our retelling of Cal Poly’s history from its important origins to today. Read more here.
    Downtown
    The hub of the city where students study, hang out, bike, run and come to appreciate a big-city feel in a small-town setting. SLO is big city that curls around two mountaintops, but you can cross downtown from one end to the other in 10 minutes. Come for a visit and see for yourself!
    Applying
    Applying to Cal Poly is a simple process that involves deciding on a major and submitting an application by the appropriate deadline. However, gaining admission to Cal Poly is competitive. All applicants are comprehensively reviewed as we look for students who have strong academic records and are active in and outside the classroom. Watch a short video discussing this topic.
    Beaches
    We do not have to exaggerate the campus' promixity to the Pacific Ocean. What most people don't always stop and realize is the impact that promixity can have on your college experience. Flying down the freeway and hitting the beach in 10 minutes makes it easy to study or hang out there. Any visit to Cal Poly has to include a stop at one of four beaches along the coastline!
    Location
    Much is written about Cal Poly’s amazing location and a mild climate that maintains all year. But words pale in comparison to an actual visit to Cal Poly and California’s Central Coast. With its small-town feel in an urban setting, the city provides the perfect backdrop to a classic college-town experience. Visit us soon and experience the SLO life for yourself.
    Neighborhoods
    SLO neighborhoods offer a combo of students and city residents that make for good mix! The city residents teach students to respect the community while students keep our city young and vibrant. Anyone driving through SLO will see a mix of living environments!
    Surroundings
    San Luis Obispo sits in a valley and curls around two mountaintops and stretches throughout the valley. When you visit Cal Poly, visit SLO! Because where you live...helps to make your college experience the most amazing time of your life!
  • Colleges

    Colleges

    learn by doing

    Learn by Doing Intro
    Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences
    Architecture & Environmental Design
    Engineering
    Liberal Arts
    Science & Mathematics
    Orfalea College of Business
  • Faculty

    Faculty

    meet cal poly professors

    Faculty Intro
    Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences
    Architecture & Environmental Design
    Engineering
    Liberal Arts
    Science & Mathematics
    Orfalea College of Business
  • Alumni

    Alumni

    meet cal poly alumni

    Alumni
    Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences
    Architecture & Environmental Design
    Engineering
    Liberal Arts
    Science & Mathematics
    Orfalea College of Business
  • Student Life

    Student Life

    living on the central coast

    Student Life Intro
    The Support
    Student Life
    Financial Aid
    Each year, Cal Poly's Financial Aid Office helps hundreds of students realize their goal of attending our university. For vital information about Financial Aid offered to students at Cal Poly, explore financialaid.calpoly.edu.
    Orientation
    Student Life and Leadership makes our students' transition to college life as smooth as possible with programs led by student volunteers. Our Week of Welcome program is nationally recognized and often used as a model for universities to follow when orienting new students to a university.
    Housing
    University Housing works to provide an environment that offers more to students than just lodging. Students who live on campus, are part of a community from day one. Explore all that University Housing offers our students through their site: housing.calpoly.edu or visit the campus and take a tour, offered Monday through Friday.
    College Sports
    An exciting part of the Cal Poly Experience, our intercollegiate sports programs offers students a variety of games, matches, meets and other events to show their campus spirit. Our Cal Poly athletes work hard, both on and off the field.
    ROTC
    Cal Poly's ROTC program offers more than classes in Military Science, it opens a door to another path our students can consider after graduation. Participants of the program are eligible for different scholarships and training. But the opportunities that await graduates are filled with success as the cadets we interviewed talk about.
    Study Abroad
    The Cal Poly International Center offers Cal Poly students the opportunity explore beyond Cal Poly's borders. Their programs take our students around the world and allow them to experience other cultures, languages and worlds. As a Cal Poly student, studying abroad can enhance the Cal Poly Experience by taking it to the next level.
  • Gallery

    Gallery

    our campus in photos

    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.

Click on the links with the play icon to hear more about the major!