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California Polytechnic State University
Part of California State University System
About
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States, outside of the city limits of San Luis Obispo. Founded in 1901, it is the oldest of three polytechnic universities within the California State University system. Cal Poly emphasizes a "learn by doing" philosophy, integrating hands-on, practical experiences into its...
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States, outside of the city limits of San Luis Obispo. Founded in 1901, it is the oldest of three polytechnic universities within the California State University system. Cal Poly emphasizes a "learn by doing" philosophy, integrating hands-on, practical experiences into its curriculum. As of fall 2025, Cal Poly had approximately 22,000 undergraduate and 900 graduate students.
Ranking Overview
Ranked Top 801 worldwide across 3 major ranking systems
Ranked in 6 subject rankings
QS World University Rankings
Times Higher Education World University Rankings
Academic Ranking of World Universities
U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings
Key Facts
- Students
- 21,089
- Student-Staff Ratio
- 20.1 : 1
- Int'l Students
- 2%
- Female : Male
- 48 : 52
- Staff
- 2,814
Historical Trend
Longitudinal View
QS
THE
US News
Top Subjects
Best-performing areasSubject Rankings
Detailed breakdownQS
2 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure Management | 151-175 | - | 2026 |
| Architecture | 201-260 | - | 2026 |
ARWU
4 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication & Media Studies | 201-300 | - | 2023 |
| Biological Sciences | 301-400 | - | 2023 |
| Physics & Astronomy | 401-500 | - | 2017 |
| Education & Training | 401-500 | - | 2021 |
US News
1 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics & Astronomy | =740 | 39.0 | 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ranking of California Polytechnic State University?
California Polytechnic State University's performance in the latest university rankings: QS Rank 1401+, THE Rank 801–1000, US News Rank =1,098.
When was California Polytechnic State University founded?
California Polytechnic State University was founded in 1901.
What are the top subjects at California Polytechnic State University?
Top subjects at California Polytechnic State University include: Hospitality & Leisure Management, Communication & Media Studies, Architecture, Biological Sciences, Physics & Astronomy.
Where is California Polytechnic State University located?
California Polytechnic State University is located in San Luis Obispo, United States.