Cal Poly makes every effort to keep costs to a minimum, and we are proud of our consistently high rankings as a best value college for the money and proven return on investment.
Estimated Costs for 2026/27 Academic Year
Your costs of attendance will vary depending on your program, residency status and living arrangements. Our estimates represent the average cost for a student to attend Cal Poly for one academic year*.
San Luis Obispo Campus
New Student (Enrolling for the first time in fall 2026)
California Residents
| Residence Hall | On Campus | Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) | $15,720 | $15,720 | $15,720 | $15,720 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Science and Math, College of Business, College of Liberal Arts) | $14,682 | $14,682 | $14,682 | $14,682 |
| Housing | $12,682 | $16,084 | $14,880 | $4,908 |
| Meals | $7,656 | $7,056 | $7,410 | $7,364 |
| Books and Materials | $1,160 | $1,160 | $1,160 | $1,160 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,586 | $2,586 | $2,684 | $4,272 |
| Transportation | $1,466 | $1,466 | $2,218 | $1,884 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 | $72 | $72 |
| Total Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$41,342 | $44,144 | $44,144 | $35,380 |
| Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) |
$40,304 | $43,106 | $43,106 | $34,342 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | Resident Hall | On Campus | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 | $14,130 | $14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $8,804 | $8,804 | $8,804 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$64,276 | $67,078 | $67,078 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) |
$63,238 | $66,040 | $66,040 |
International Students
| In addition to base fees and non-resident fees above, international students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| International Student Fee | $900 | $900 |
| Mandatory Health Insurance | $1,533 | $1,533 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$69,511 | $69,511 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) |
$68,473 | $68,473 |
Continuing Student (Enrolled for the first time in fall 2025)
California Residents
| On Campus | Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) | $15,720 | $15,720 | $15,720 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Science and Math, College of Business, College of Liberal Arts) | $14,682 | $14,682 | $14,682 |
| Housing | $16,084 | $14,880 | $4,908 |
| Meals | $7,056 | $7,410 | $7,364 |
| Books and Materials | $1,160 | $1,160 | $1,160 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,586 | $2,684 | $4,272 |
| Transportation | $1,466 | $2,218 | $1,884 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 | $72 |
| Total Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$44,144 | $44,144 | $35,380 |
| Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) |
$43,106 | $43,106 | $34,342 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 | $14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $8,804 | $8,804 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$67,078 | $67,078 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) |
$66,040 | $66,040 |
International Students
| In addition to base fees and non-resident fees above, international students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| International Student Fee | $900 | $900 |
| Mandatory Health Insurance | $1,533 | $1,533 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$69,511 | $69,511 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) |
$68,473 | $68,473 |
Continuing Student (Enrolled for the first time in fall 2024)
California Residents
| On Campus | Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) | $14,254 | $14,254 | $14,254 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Science and Math, College of Business) | $13,980 | $13,980 | $13,980 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Liberal Arts) | $13,980 | $13,980 | $13,980 |
| Housing | $16,084 | $14,880 | $4,908 |
| Meals | $7,056 | $7,410 | $7,364 |
| Books and Materials | $1,160 | $1,160 | $1,160 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,586 | $2,684 | $4,272 |
| Transportation | $1,466 | $2,218 | $1,884 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 | $72 |
| Total Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$42,678 | $42,678 | $33,914 |
| Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business) |
$42,404 | $42,404 | $33,640 |
| Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$42,404 | $42,404 | $33,640 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 | $14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $8,804 | $8,804 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$65,612 | $65,612 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business) |
$65,338 | $65,338 |
| Non-Resident Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$65,338 | $65,338 |
International Students
| In addition to base fees and non-resident fees above, international students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| International Student Fee | $900 | $900 |
| Mandatory Health Insurance | $1,533 | $1,533 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$68,045 | $68,045 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business) |
$67,771 | $67,771 |
| Non-Resident Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$67,771 | $67,771 |
Continuing Student (Enrolled for the first time in fall 2023)
California Residents
| On Campus | Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) | $13,866 | $13,866 | $13,866 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Science and Math, College of Business) | $13,368 | $13,368 | $13,368 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Liberal Arts) | $13,104 | $13,104 | $13,104 |
| Housing | $16,084 | $14,880 | $4,908 |
| Meals | $7,056 | $7,410 | $7,364 |
| Books and Materials | $1,160 | $1,160 | $1,160 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,586 | $2,684 | $4,272 |
| Transportation | $1,466 | $2,218 | $1,884 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 | $72 |
| Total Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$42,290 | $42,290 | $33,526 |
| Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business) |
$41,792 | $47,792 | $33,028 |
| Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$41,528 | $41,528 | $32,764 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 | $14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $8,804 | $8,804 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$65,224 | $65,224 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business) |
$64,726 | $64,726 |
| Non-Resident Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$64,462 | $64,462 |
International Students
| In addition to base fees and non-resident fees above, international students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| International Student Fee | $900 | $900 |
| Mandatory Health Insurance | $1,533 | $1,533 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$67,657 | $67,657 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business) |
$67,159 | $67,159 |
| Non-Resident Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$66,895 | $66,895 |
Continuing Student (Enrolled for the first time in fall 2022)
California Residents
| On Campus | Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) | $13,002 | $13,002 | $13,002 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Science and Math, College of Business) | $12,750 | $12,750 | $12,750 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Liberal Arts) | $12,353 | $12,353 | $12,353 |
| Housing | $16,084 | $14,880 | $4,908 |
| Meals | $7,056 | $7,410 | $7,364 |
| Books and Materials | $1,160 | $1,160 | $1,160 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,586 | $2,684 | $4,272 |
| Transportation | $1,466 | $2,218 | $1,884 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 | $72 |
| Total Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$41,426 | $41,426 | $32,662 |
| Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business) |
$41,174 | $41,174 | $32,410 |
| Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$40,777 | $40,777 | $32,013 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 | $14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $8,040 | $8,040 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$63,596 | $63,596 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business |
$63,344 | $63,344 |
| Non-Resident Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$62,947 | $62,947 |
International Students
| In addition to base fees and non-resident fees above, international students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| International Student Fee | $900 | $900 |
| Mandatory Health Insurance | $1,533 | $1,533 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) |
$66,029 | $66,029 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business) |
$65,777 | $65,777 |
| Non-Resident Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$65,380 | $65,380 |
Continuing Student (Enrolled for the first time in fall 2021 or earlier)
California Residents
| On Campus | Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) | $12,138 | $12,138 | $12,138 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Science and Math, College of Business) | $12,138 | $12,138 | $12,138 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Liberal Arts) | $11,639 | $11,639 | $11,639 |
| Housing | $16,084 | $14,880 | $4,908 |
| Meals | $7,056 | $7,410 | $7,364 |
| Books and Materials | $1,160 | $1,160 | $1,160 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,586 | $2,684 | $4,272 |
| Transportation | $1,466 | $2,218 | $1,884 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 | $72 |
| Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture, Science and Math, Business or Agriculture) |
$40,562 | $40,562 | $31,798 |
| Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$40,063 | $40,063 | $31,299 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 | $14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $6,030 | $6,030 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture, Science and Math, Business or Agriculture) |
$60,722 | $60,722 |
| Non-Resident Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$60,223 | $60,223 |
International Students
| In addition to base fees and non-resident fees above, international students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| International Student Fee | $900 | $900 |
| Mandatory Health Insurance | $1,533 | $1,533 |
| International Total (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture, Science and Math, Business or Agriculture) |
$63,155 | $63,155 |
| International Total (College of Liberal Arts) |
$62,656 | $62,656 |
Solano Campus
New Student (Enrolling for the first time in fall 2026)
California Residents
| On Campus | Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) | $15,720 | $15,720 | $15,720 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Science and Math, College of Business, College of Liberal Arts) | $14,682 | $14,682 | $14,682 |
| Housing | $8,265 | $11,396 | $4,183 |
| Meals | $8,000 | $7,184 | $6,274 |
| Medical Insurance (more in Spring) | $1,459 | $1,459 | $1,459 |
| Books and Materials | $1,092 | $1,092 | $1,092 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,587 | $3,525 | $3,055 |
| Transportation | $1,466 | $2,375 | $2,377 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 | $72 |
| Estimated Uniform Expenses No Uniform (TST) (All in Fall) | $1,829 | $1,829 | $1,829 |
| No Uniform (TST) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total (Colleges of Engineering or Agriculture) + Uniform |
$40,490 | $44,652 | $36,061 |
| Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) + Uniform |
$39,452 | $43,614 | $35,023 |
| Total (Colleges of Engineering or Agriculture) + NO Uniform + No Med Ins |
$37,202 | $41,364 | $32,773 |
| Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) + NO Uniform + No Med Ins |
$36,164 | $40,326 | $31,735 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 | $14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $8,804 | $8,804 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering or Agriculture) + Uniform |
$63,424 | $67,586 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) + Uniform |
$62,386 | $66,548 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering or Agriculture) + NO Uniform |
$60,136 | $64,298 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) + NO Uniform |
$59,098 | $63,260 |
Misc Other Fees
| In additional New Student fees : | On Campus | Off Campus | Living with Family |
| Orientation Fees | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fire Fighting Course | $1,100 | $1,100 | $1,100 |
Continuing Student (Enrolled for the first time in fall 2025)
California Residents
| On Campus | Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (Colleges of Engineering, Architecture or Agriculture) | $15,720 | $15,720 | $15,720 |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Science and Math, College of Business, College of Liberal Arts) | $14,682 | $14,682 | $14,682 |
| Housing | $8,265 | $11,396 | $4,183 |
| Meals | $8,000 | $7,184 | $6,274 |
| Medical Insurance (more in Spring) | $1,459 | $1,459 | $1,459 |
| Books and Materials | $1,092 | $1,092 | $1,092 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,587 | $3,525 | $3,055 |
| Transportation | $1,466 | $2,375 | $2,377 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 | $72 |
| Estimated Uniform Expenses No Uniform (TST) (All in Fall) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No Uniform (TST) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total (Colleges of Engineering or Agriculture) + Uniform |
$38,661 | $42,823 | $34,232 |
| Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) + Uniform |
$37,623 | $41,785 | $33,194 |
| Total (Colleges of Engineering or Agriculture) + NO Uniform + No Med Ins |
$38,661 | $42,823 | $34,232 |
| Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) + NO Uniform + No Med Ins |
$37,623 | $41,785 | $33,194 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | On Campus | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 | $14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $8,804 | $8,804 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering or Agriculture) + Uniform |
$61,595 | $65,757 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) + Uniform |
$60,557 | $64,719 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Engineering or Agriculture) + NO Uniform |
$61,595 | $65,757 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Science and Math, Business or Liberal Arts) + NO Uniform |
$60,557 | $64,719 |
Allan Hancock College Campus
New Student (Enrolling for the first time in fall 2026)
California Residents
| Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Science and Math, College of Business, College of Liberal Arts) | $14,682 | $14,682 |
| Housing | $14,880 | $4,908 |
| Meals | $7,410 | $7,364 |
| Books and Materials | $1,160 | $1,160 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,684 | $4,272 |
| Transportation | $2,218 | $1,884 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 |
| Total (Colleges of Business or Liberal Arts) |
$43,106 | $34,342 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $8,804 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Business or Liberal Arts) |
$66,040 |
Continuing Student (Enrolled for the first time in fall 2025)
California Residents
| Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Science and Math, College of Business, College of Liberal Arts) | $14,682 | $14,682 |
| Housing | $14,880 | $4,908 |
| Meals | $7,410 | $7,364 |
| Books and Materials | $1,160 | $1,160 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,684 | $4,272 |
| Transportation | $2,218 | $1,884 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 |
| Total (Colleges of Business or Liberal Arts) |
$43,106 | $34,342 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $8,804 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Business or Liberal Arts) |
$66,040 |
Cuesta College Campus
New Student (Enrolled for the first time in fall 2026)
California Residents
| Off Campus | Living with Family | |
| Tuition and Fees (College of Business, College of Liberal Arts) | $14,682 | $14,682 |
| Housing | $14,880 | $4,908 |
| Meals | $7,410 | $7,364 |
| Books and Materials | $1,160 | $1,160 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $2,684 | $4,272 |
| Transportation | $2,218 | $1,884 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $72 |
| Total (Colleges of Business or Liberal Arts) |
$43,106 | $34,342 |
Non-Resident Students
| In addition to above fees above, non-resident students pay: | Off Campus |
| Non-CA Resident Tuition and Fees (30u @$471/unit) |
$14,130 |
| Non-CA Resident Opportunity Fee * | $8,804 |
| Non-Resident Total (Colleges of Business or Liberal Arts) |
$66,040 |
ABOUT COST ESTIMATESCost estimates are based on full-time enrollment and are subject to change.
Registration Fees, Books, Supplies All students pay registration fees. Estimated costs for books, supplies, materials and equipment vary by course; with documentation, the cost of purchasing a computer may be added to the cost of attendance but this does not guarantee additional aid eligibility.
Transportation and Personal Expenses These fees are based on reasonable but modest allowances for transportation, clothing, recreation and general living expenses and will vary by lifestyle.
Housing and FoodHousing and food costs vary depending on location, housing choice, dining plan and dietary needs. At the San Luis Obispo campus, transfer students may live on or off campus and may purchase a campus community dining plan. In San Luis Obispo, typical monthly housing costs are approximately $2,160 for a one-bedroom apartment, $3,000 for a two-bedroom apartment and $1,180 for a private room in a home; many off-campus students share multi-bedroom apartments to reduce costs.
Non-Residents Federal loan borrowers have estimated loan fees included in the cost of attendance. In addition, non-California residents pay $471 per unit in non-resident tuition on top of in-state tuition and fees; estimates assume an average enrollment of 15 units per semester and actual semester non-resident tuition varies by unit load.
International Students An additional $450 per semester fee and a separate charge for mandatory health insurance are assessed for international students.
The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory system-wide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU-listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory system-wide fees will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 - 66028.6 of the Education Code).
*We make every effort to publish accurate costs. These numbers have been reviewed but may be subject to change for accuracy, pending further reviews.