Colleges in San Luis Obispo, California
4 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 4 colleges and universities in San Luis Obispo, California (2 Public, 2 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 4 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $14,395 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 67.4%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 31% of applicants.
The median net price in San Luis Obispo runs about $6,317 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in San Luis Obispo, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$14,395
After aid
Median grad rate
67.4%
6-year
Median admission rate
31%
Median enrollment
4,148
Undergrad
All colleges in San Luis Obispo
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA | CA | Public, 4-year | $16,665 | 86.4% | 31% | 21,996 | Complete | |
| Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $12,124 | 48.3% | Not available | 7,180 | Partial | |
| Laurus College San Luis Obispo, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 4-year | $22,733 | 42.9% | Not available | 1,116 | Complete | |
| Central California School of Continuing Education San Luis Obispo, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $11,840 | 86.5% | Not available | 41 | Partial |
By institution type
Public (2)
Public colleges in San Luis Obispo are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoNet price: $16,665Grad: 86.4%
- Cuesta CollegeNet price: $12,124Grad: 48.3%
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in San Luis Obispo operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Laurus CollegeNet price: $22,733Grad: 42.9%
- Central California School of Continuing EducationNet price: $11,840Grad: 86.5%
Top programs in San Luis Obispo
Most-completed programs across San Luis Obispo colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business17.9% of degrees
- Engineering15.5% of degrees
- Liberal arts12.0% of degrees
- Agriculture8.5% of degrees
- Computer science4.5% of degrees
- Social sciences4.4% of degrees
- Health professions3.6% of degrees
- Architecture3.6% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in San Luis Obispo
Q.How many colleges are in San Luis Obispo, California?
There are 4 colleges and universities in San Luis Obispo, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Public, 2 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in San Luis Obispo?
By undergraduate enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is the largest institution in San Luis Obispo with roughly 21,996 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in San Luis Obispo?
Based on average net price after aid, Central California School of Continuing Education is the most affordable institution in San Luis Obispo at $11,840 per year.
Q.Which San Luis Obispo college has the highest graduation rate?
Central California School of Continuing Education reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among San Luis Obispo institutions at 86.5%.
Q.What is the average tuition in San Luis Obispo?
The median net price across all 4 colleges in San Luis Obispo is $14,395 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in San Luis Obispo?
Across San Luis Obispo colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Business, Engineering, Liberal arts.
Q.Are there community colleges in San Luis Obispo?
Yes — San Luis Obispo includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in San Luis Obispo that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.