Does Cal Poly SLO require the SAT? No, it's test blind
Cal Poly SLO is test blind: it won't read an SAT or ACT score, even if you send one. It admits 31% of applicants, so grades, courses and essays decide.
Cal Poly SLO doesn't read SAT or ACT scores
A score won't be read even if you send one, so it can't help or hurt. With a 31% admit rate, Cal Poly SLO is a Target for everyone; grades, courses and essays decide.
Cal Poly SLO by the numbers
- Admit rate
- 31%
- Middle 50% SAT
- Not read
- Test policy
- Test blind
Test blind · checked Nov 9, 2026 · Cal Poly SLO admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS
Cal Poly SLO admit rate over 10 years
Applications rose 46%, from 46,820 in 2015 to 68,371 in 2024, and Cal Poly SLO's admit rate went from 31% to 31%.
- 31%
- 31%
Show the numbers
| Fall | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 68,371 | 21,416 | 31% |
| 2023 | 63,736 | 18,964 | 30% |
| 2022 | 58,774 | 17,885 | 30% |
| 2021 | 54,570 | 18,008 | 33% |
| 2020 | 52,371 | 20,127 | 38% |
| 2019 | 54,072 | 15,366 | 28% |
| 2018 | 54,663 | 16,491 | 30% |
| 2017 | 48,588 | 16,817 | 35% |
| 2016 | 48,162 | 14,202 | 29% |
| 2015 | 46,820 | 14,651 | 31% |
In fall 2024, 5,271 of the 21,416 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.
Cal Poly SLO class rank
What enrolled first-year students brought from high school.
- Top 10% of their class
- 46%
- of new students who reported a rank
Common Data Set 2025–26.
Cal Poly SLO waitlist
Waitlist
8,237 applicants were offered a spot, and 599 were admitted from it.
7.3%of students who were offered a spot got in
Common Data Set 2025–26.
Cal Poly SLO cost and outcomes
What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.
- Average net price
- $16,665
- per year, after grants
- Graduate in 6 years
- 86%
- Median earnings
- $90,768
- 10 years after starting
- Undergraduates
- 23,408
College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.
Colleges like Cal Poly SLO
Other colleges that don't read scores, with similar admit rates.
- UC Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA · 33% admittedTest blind
- UC IrvineIrvine, CA · 29% admittedTest blind
- UC San DiegoLa Jolla, CA · 27% admittedTest blind
- San Diego StateSan Diego, CA · 36% admittedTest blind
- PitzerClaremont, CA · 25% admittedTest blind
- UC DavisDavis, CA · 42% admittedTest blind
More colleges in California
Sources
- Cal Poly SLO Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
- College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
- College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
- Cal Poly SLO admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
- Cal Poly SLO website
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.
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