California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo facts for kids
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Former name
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California Polytechnic School (1901–1947), California Polytechnic State College (1947–1972) |
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| Motto | Discere Faciendo (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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"Learn by Doing" |
| Type | Public polytechnic university |
| Established | March 8, 1901 |
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Parent institution
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California State University |
| Accreditation | WSCUC |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| Endowment | $285.3 million (2022-23) |
| President | Jeffrey Armstrong |
| Provost | Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore |
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Academic staff
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1,469 (Fall 2023) |
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Administrative staff
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1,630 (Fall 2023) |
| Undergraduates | 21,497 (Fall 2023) |
| Postgraduates | 782 (Fall 2023) |
| Location |
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United States
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| Campus | Small suburb, 9,678 acres (3,917 ha) total; 1,321 acres (535 ha) main campus; 155 acres (63 ha) campus core |
| Newspaper | Mustang News |
| Colors | Green and gold |
| Nickname | Mustangs |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascots |
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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is a large public university in San Luis Obispo County, California. It's often called Cal Poly or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. This university is the oldest of three special "polytechnic" schools in the California State University system.
Cal Poly offers many different study programs. It has six colleges where students can earn 65 different bachelor's (first degrees) and 39 master's degrees (advanced degrees). The main focus at Cal Poly is on helping students learn by doing. Most of the university's sports teams play in the Big West Conference.
Contents
History of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo started as the California Polytechnic School in 1901. This happened after Governor Henry T. Gage signed a bill. The idea for the school came from a journalist named Myron Angel.
The school opened its doors on October 1, 1903, with just 20 students. They offered courses that took three years to finish. The school kept growing steadily over the years.
In 1924, Cal Poly became part of the California State Board of Education. During the Great Depression, there was a time when the state thought about changing Cal Poly into a state prison because of money problems. But that didn't happen! Instead, in 1933, Cal Poly became a two-year technical and vocational school.
The university started offering four-year Bachelor of Arts degrees in 1940. The first students to earn these degrees graduated in 1942. In 1947, the school's name changed to California State Polytechnic College to show it was offering higher education. A Master of Arts degree was added in 1949.
In 1960, Cal Poly and other state colleges came under the control of an independent Board of Trustees. This group later became the California State University system. In 1971, the school's name changed again to California Polytechnic State University. Since then, more and more students have joined, and new buildings have been built.
In 2017, Cal Poly received a huge gift of $110 million from former student William L. and Linda Frost. This was one of the biggest gifts ever given to a public school in California.
How Cal Poly Pomona Started
Cal Poly Pomona actually started as a part of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1938. A school and farm were given by Charles Voorhis and his son Jerry Voorhis. It was first called the Voorhis Unit. Later, in 1949, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation gave an 812-acre horse ranch in Pomona, California to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. These two places became known as Cal Poly Kellogg-Voorhis.
In 1966, Cal Poly Kellogg-Voorhis became its own separate university, now called California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). Since 1949, students from both Cal Poly campuses have worked together to create a float for the famous Rose Parade. Students from both schools still design and build these amazing floats all year long.
1960 Football Team Plane Crash
On October 29, 1960, a plane carrying the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo football team crashed. This happened after a game in Toledo, Ohio. Sadly, 22 of the 48 people on board died, including 16 players.
Female Students at Cal Poly
When Cal Poly first opened in 1903, it welcomed both male and female students. There were 16 male students and 4 female students. However, in 1929, California's Governor C. C. Young stopped women from studying at Cal Poly starting in 1930.
It wasn't until 1956 that the university started admitting female students again. Today, Cal Poly is a coeducational school, meaning both men and women attend. In Fall 2018, about 48.4% of the students were women.
Leaders of Cal Poly
Here are the people who have led Cal Poly over the years:
- Leroy Anderson, 1902–1907
- Leroy Burns Smith, 1908–1914
- Robert Weir Ryder, 1914–1921
- Nicholas Ricciardi, 1921–1924
- Margaret Chase (Acting), 1924
- Benjamin Ray Crandall, 1924–1933
- Julian A. McPhee, 1933–1966
- Dale W. Andrews (acting), 1966–1967
- Robert E. Kennedy, 1967–1979
- Warren J. Baker, 1979–2010
- Robert Glidden (Acting), 2010–2011
- Jeffrey D. Armstrong, 2011–present
Cal Poly Campus Life
Cal Poly has one of the biggest college campuses in the United States. It owns 9,178 acres of land, making it the second-largest land-holding university in California. This land is used for student learning. It includes the main campus, two nearby farms, and two properties in Santa Cruz County.
Part of Cal Poly's land is the Swanton Pacific Ranch. This 3,200-acre ranch in Santa Cruz County offers chances for students to learn and do research. It has rangeland, livestock, and forestry operations. This helps students in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences Learn by Doing.
New Buildings and Growth
In summer 2018, new student dorms were finished. These buildings have 1,475 beds for freshmen. They also have a parking garage, a small café, a game room, and outdoor spaces for activities.
The Warren J. Baker Center for Science and Mathematics opened in 2013. This new building is 189,000 square feet and cost $119 million. It has new labs, classrooms, and offices for physics, chemistry, and soil science. It's the second-largest and most advanced building on campus.
Getting Around Campus
Parking on campus can be limited. Cal Poly encourages students to use other ways to get around instead of driving alone. Bus use has more than doubled in the last 10 years, and bicycle use has almost quadrupled!
There are over 6,500 bike racks and 224 secure bike lockers on campus. Many students and staff live close enough to bike. The city's SLO Transit bus system also serves the campus. Cal Poly helps pay for the bus system, so students and staff can ride for free.
What Students Learn at Cal Poly
Different Colleges
Cal Poly has six main colleges where students can study:
- College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
- College of Architecture and Environmental Design
- Orfalea College of Business
- College of Engineering
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Science and Mathematics
Senior Projects
All undergraduate students at Cal Poly must complete a "senior project." This project is a big part of their learning experience. It helps students use everything they've learned in their studies.
A senior project can be a design, an experiment, a research project, a presentation, or a report based on an internship. These projects often help students get jobs or get recognized for their work. For example, a company called Punchd, which started as a Senior Project, was bought by Google in 2011!
How to Get In
Cal Poly is a selective school, meaning it's not easy to get in. For students entering in Fall 2019, about 28.4% of applicants were accepted. The average GPA for these students was 3.99.
When you apply to Cal Poly, you have to choose your major (what you want to study). The university then accepts the best students for each major. Because of this, changing your major after you're accepted is not always guaranteed.
University Rankings
| Forbes | 98 |
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Cal Poly is highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, it was ranked first among all regional universities in the western United States. It was also ranked first among "Top Public Schools" and "Most Innovative Schools."
The College of Engineering at Cal Poly is also very well-known. It was ranked seventh among undergraduate engineering schools in the U.S. where advanced degrees like doctorates are not offered. Some of its specific engineering programs are ranked very high:
- Civil Engineering: first
- Computer Engineering: first
- Mechanical Engineering: second
- Electrical Engineering: second
- Aerospace Engineering: second
Washington Monthly magazine ranked Cal Poly 26th in the U.S. for its contributions to the public good. This includes things like helping students move up in life, research, and community service.
Money magazine ranked Cal Poly 51st in the country for its "Best Colleges for Your Money" in 2020. This means students get a good value for their education.
Paying for College
Tuition Costs
College costs have changed over time. In 2002, yearly fees for a California student were about $2,976. By Fall 2011, the annual fee was over $7,900.
Many students get financial help. In 2014–15, about 61.6% of undergraduate students received some form of financial aid. This help can come from federal funds, state funds, or the university itself. Most of this aid comes as loans, but also grants and scholarships.
University Funds
Cal Poly's special fund, called an endowment, has grown a lot. It went from $43.1 million to $140.1 million during a fundraising campaign. This money helps support the university's programs and future.
Student Life at Cal Poly
Where Students Live
Cal Poly has a large student housing program, with 6,239 spaces on campus. This is the biggest housing program in the California State University system. In Fall 2015, about 98.7% of new freshmen lived on campus.
There are different groups of residence halls at Cal Poly. The oldest dorms were built in the 1950s. Newer housing, like the Poly Canyon Village, was completed in 2009. In 2018, Cal Poly opened the yakʔitʸutʸu dorms. These modern dorms also honor the history and culture of the local Indigenous people, the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini, Northern Chumash tribe.
Student Groups (Greek Life)
Greek organizations, like fraternities and sororities, have been at Cal Poly since 1949. Today, there are many different groups for students to join.
Week of Welcome (WOW)
The "Week of Welcome" program, or "WOW," is a special orientation for new students. It happens during the first week of school in September. Volunteers help new students get to know the campus and community. Freshmen are put into small groups with other new students, led by current Cal Poly students. They do fun activities and learn about college life. This program started in 1956 and is now the largest volunteer orientation program in the country.
Cal Poly Recreation Center
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The Cal Poly Recreation Center is a place on campus where students can exercise and have fun.
Clubs and Organizations
Cal Poly has many different clubs and student organizations. There are over 150 groups! These include cultural clubs, math and science clubs, comedy clubs, religious groups, and engineering clubs. There are also sports teams, LGBTQ+ groups, and academic honors clubs. Some engineering clubs work on cool projects like building satellites.
Student Diversity
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
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| White | 50% |
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| Hispanic | 23% |
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| Asian | 14% |
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| Other | 11% |
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| Foreign national | 1% |
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| Black | 0.7% |
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| Pacific Islander | 0.3% |
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| Native American | 0.1% |
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| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income | 14% |
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| Affluent | 86% |
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Cal Poly is working to increase the number of students from different backgrounds. The percentage of white students has decreased from 63% to 55%. About 84.2% of Cal Poly students come from California.
Cal Poly and the Local Community
Cal Poly brings many good things to the local area, like helping the economy. However, there have been some concerns. For example, the large number of students has affected the local housing market. Many apartments that used to be for families are now rented by students. This can make it harder for lower-income families to find affordable housing in the city. The university is building more dorms to help house more students on campus.
Cal Poly Sports
Cal Poly has 21 different sports teams (10 for men and 11 for women). They compete in the NCAA's Division I, which is the highest level of college sports.
Most Cal Poly teams are part of the Big West Conference. However, the football team plays in the Big Sky Conference. The wrestling team is in the Pac-12 Conference.
Before 1994, Cal Poly competed in NCAA Division II and won 35 national championships! Cal Poly has two mascots: Musty the Mustang (a cartoon character) and Chase, a real live mustang horse. Chase is named after Margaret Chase, who was the university's second president.
Cal Poly also has many non-varsity (club) sports. The rugby team, for example, is often ranked among the top teams nationwide. The ultimate frisbee team, SLOCORE, also does very well.
The Battle for the Golden Horseshoe is a yearly football game between the UC Davis Aggies and the Cal Poly Mustangs. Cal Poly also has a marching band of over 200 students called The Mustang Marching Band. They play at football, basketball, and volleyball games.
How Cal Poly is Organized
Four Main Parts
The university is divided into four main parts:
- Academic Affairs (deals with teaching and learning)
- Student Affairs (helps students with their lives on campus)
- Administration and Finance (manages the university's money and operations)
- University Advancement (works to get support and donations for the university)
Cal Poly Partners
Cal Poly Partners is a special non-profit group that helps the university. It provides services like managing money and supporting the school's educational goals.
Cal Poly Foundation
The Cal Poly Foundation is another group that helps the university. It accepts gifts and donations that are tax-deductible. This money helps support programs and manages the university's special funds.
Cal Poly Extended Education
Cal Poly Extended Education offers classes and programs to people in the local area and online. This allows more people to learn from the university.
Associated Students Inc. (ASI)
The Associated Students Inc. (ASI) is a non-profit group run by Cal Poly student leaders. ASI helps create fun experiences for students, like events, concerts, and sports. They also manage buildings like the University Union and the Recreation Center.
Alumni Association
The Cal Poly Alumni Association connects with former students. It helps them stay in touch with the university and supports the school.
Famous People Who Went to Cal Poly
More than 150,000 people have graduated from Cal Poly. Many of them live in San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, and Los Angeles counties.
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Robert L. Gibson, NASA astronaut
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Abel Maldonado, former California Lt. Governor
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John Madden, NFL Hall of Fame coach
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Doug LaMalfa, former U.S. Representative
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Farzad Nazem, former Yahoo Chief Technology Officer
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Devin Nunes, former U.S. Representative
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Ozzie Smith, Baseball Hall of Fame player
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"Weird Al" Yankovic, comedic musician
Some notable alumni include:
- Tory Bruno, CEO of ULA (a rocket company)
- Gregory Chamitoff, NASA astronaut
- Victor Glover, NASA astronaut
- Noel Lee, founder of Monster Cable
- John Madden, famous NFL coach and TV announcer
- Farzad Nazem, former Chief Technology Officer of Yahoo
- Peter Oppenheimer, former Chief Financial Officer of Apple Inc.
- Burt Rutan, a pioneer in aerospace (airplane and spacecraft design)
- "Weird Al" Yankovic, a comedic musician who recorded his first song in a bathroom at the school!
- Mike Krukow, former Major League Baseball player and current announcer for the San Francisco Giants.
Images for kids
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360° panorama from the top of Poly Canyon; the main Cal Poly campus and agricultural area can be seen below.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 8,583 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 |
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In Spanish: Universidad Politécnica Estatal de California para niños
- California Master Plan for Higher Education
- Leaning Pine Arboretum, north campus
