by our College Data Analytics TeamWe’ve pulled together some essential information you should know about the program, including its ranking, popularity, student demographics, and graduate outcomes. Also, learn how Cal Poly compares to other colleges that offer physical sciences.
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Cal Poly is a solid choice among schools offering physical sciences. Specifically, it ranked #26 out of 532 schools by College Factual. It is also ranked #7 in California.
| Ranking Type | Rank |
|---|---|
| Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California | 7 |
| Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California | 7 |
| Best Physical Sciences Schools in California | 7 |
| College Major Top Ranked | 7 |
| Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region | 8 |
| Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region | 8 |
| Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region | 8 |
| College Major Top Ranked | 8 |
| Best Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools | 26 |
| Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools | 26 |
| Best Physical Sciences Schools | 26 |
| College Major Top Ranked | 26 |
During the most recent reporting year, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo conferred 92 bachelor’s degrees in physical sciences.
Physical Sciences students who finish a bachelor’s at Cal Poly go on to jobs where they make a median salary of $88,601 a year. This is above $77,339, the median for all majors at Cal Poly.
While getting their bachelor’s degree at Cal Poly, physical sciences students borrow a median amount of $17,753 in student loans. This is below $19,273, the typical median for all majors at Cal Poly.
The full-time undergraduate tuition and fees are shown below.
| In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,742 | $18,684 |
| Fees | $6,077 | $14,546 |
Read more about Cal Poly tuition and fees.
Among recent graduates, 59% of physical sciences bachelor’s degrees went to men and 41% went to women.
The majority of physical sciences bachelor’s degree graduates at Cal Poly were White. Roughly 59% of graduates fell into this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s in physical sciences.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 7 |
| Black or African American | 0 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 15 |
| White | 54 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 0 |
| Other Races | 16 |
In the most recent graduating class, 50% of physical sciences master’s degrees went to men and 50% went to women.
The largest share of physical sciences master’s degree graduates at Cal Poly were White. Approximately 70% of graduates fell into this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a master’s in physical sciences.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 0 |
| Black or African American | 0 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1 |
| White | 7 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 0 |
| Other Races | 2 |
Here are the demographics of the physical sciences majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
The physical sciences program at Cal Poly breaks down into the following more specific areas of study:
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 37 |
| Physics | 34 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 31 |