California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public institution in San Luis Obispo, California with 21,521 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $11,075 compared with a California nursing-school average of $10,571. The school reports a graduation rate of 85.2%, median earnings of $90,768, and median federal debt of $18,500.
$11,075 is higher than the state average of $10,571.
85.2% is higher than the state average of 55.0%.
$90,768 is higher than the state average of $43,430.
About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
| Location | San Luis Obispo, California |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | calpoly.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $11,075 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $30,995 |
| Total Enrollment | 21,521 |
| Acceptance Rate | 29.8% |
| Graduation Rate | 85.2% |
| Retention Rate | 95.2% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $90,768 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,500 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $196 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 18.3% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 23.5% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.2 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
18.3% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 23.5% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $44,300, while the reported median debt is $18,500 with an estimated monthly payment of $196. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (49.7%), followed by Hispanic students (23.1%) and Asian students (14.4%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($90,768) divided by median debt ($18,500)