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. Your cost to attend Cal Poly 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.
Estimated Costs for 2021/22 Academic Year
Undergraduate California Residents
| Living on or off Campus | Living with Parents | |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | $10,194 | $10,194 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $10,194 | $10,194 |
| Books | $681 | $681 |
| Supplies | $207 | $207 |
| Housing & Meals | $16,377 | $6,207 |
| Transportation | $711 | $711 |
| Personal/Misc | $1,479 | $1,479 |
| Estimated Loan Fees | $72 | $72 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $29,721 | $19,551 |
About CA Resident Cost Estimates
*Registration Fees: Fees are based on full-time enrollment for the fall, winter and spring quarters and are subject to change.
Books & Supplies: Your costs may vary depending on the courses you are taking each quarter.
Room & Meals: First-year students are required to live on-campus and purchase a meal plan. Actual costs of room and board will vary depending on where you live and what meal plan you choose. Continuing students may live on-or off-campus and have the option to purchase a meal plan. A typical one-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo costs $1350/month. Many students living off-campus have roommates in order to keep their housing costs more affordable. Actual costs of room and board will vary depending on where you live and what meal plan you choose.
Transportation/Personal/Misc: Based on reasonable but modest costs in regards to transportation, clothing, recreation and living expenses. Your costs may vary depending on lifestyle.
Loan Fees: Federal Loan borrowers have estimated loan fees added to the cost of attendance.
Non-Resident Undergraduate
| Living on or off Campus | |
|---|---|
| Registration Fees* | $10,194 |
| Non-residential Tuition** | $11,880 |
| Opportunity Fee*** (Non-Resident) |
$6,030 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $28,104 |
| Books | $681 |
| Supplies | $207 |
| Room & Meals | $16,377 |
| Transportation | $711 |
| Personal/Misc | $1,479 |
| Estimated Loan Fees | $72 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $47,631 |
About Non-Resident Cost Estimates
*Registration Fees: Fees are based on full-time enrollment for the fall, winter and spring quarters and are subject to change.
**Non-Resident Tuition: In addition to your tuition, there will be an annual opportunity fee and an additional $264 per unit. We base our estimates on the assumption that you will take 15 units per quarter. Your actual amount will vary depending on the number of units you take per quarter.
***Opportunity Fee: This fee will be lower if you started before Fall 2021.
Books & Supplies: Your costs may vary depending on the courses you are taking each quarter.
Room & Meals: Transfer students may live on-or off-campus and have the option to purchase a meal plan. A typical one-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo costs $1350/month. Many students living off-campus have roommates in order to keep their housing costs more affordable. Actual costs of room and board will vary depending on where you live and what meal plan you choose.
Transportation/Personal/Misc: Based on reasonable but modest costs in regards to transportation, clothing, recreation and living expenses. Your costs may vary depending on lifestyle.
Loan Fees: Federal Loan borrowers have estimated loan fees added to the cost of attendance.
International Undergraduate
| Fall 2021 | |
|---|---|
| Registration Fees* | $10,194 |
| Non-residential Tuition** | $11,880 |
| International Fee | $900 |
| Mandatory Health Insurance | $1,416 |
| Opportunity Fee*** |
$6,030 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $30,420 |
| Books | $681 |
| Supplies | $207 |
| Room & Meals | $16,377 |
| Transportation | $711 |
| Personal/Misc | $1,479 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $49,875 |
About International Student Cost Estimates
*Registration Fees: Fees for California residents are based on full-time enrollment for the fall, winter and spring quarters and are subject to change.
**Non-Resident Tuition: In addition to your tuition, there will be an annual opportunity fee and an additional $264 per unit. We base our estimates on the assumption that you will take 15 units per quarter. Your actual amount will vary depending on the number of units you take per quarter.
***Opportunity Fee: This fee will be lower if you started before Fall 2021.
International Fees: If you are an international student, you will pay non-resident tuition plus an additional fee of $900. You must also purchase mandatory health insurance.
Books & Supplies: Your costs may vary depending on the courses you are taking each quarter.
Room & Meals: Continuing students may live on-or off-campus and have the option to purchase a meal plan. A typical one-bedroom apartment in San Luis Obispo costs $1350/month. Many students living off-campus have roommates in order to keep their housing costs more affordable. Actual costs of room and board will vary depending on where you live and what meal plan you choose.
Transportation/Personal/Misc: Based on reasonable but modest costs in regards to transportation, clothing, recreation and living expenses. Your costs may vary depending on lifestyle.
Loan Fees: Federal Loan borrowers have estimated loan fees added to the cost of attendance.
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).