Last Updated on October 1, 2026
Quick answer: California Polytechnic State University degrees at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo include more than 150 undergraduate majors and minors and over 50 graduate programs across six colleges. There are three Cal Poly schools in the CSU system: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal Poly Humboldt.
California Polytechnic State University, also known as “Cal Poly,” is one of the most respected polytechnic institutions in the U.S. California Polytechnic State University degrees reflect the school’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy, with majors designed to prepare students for success through hands-on learning and industry engagement.
Cal Poly offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and minors and over 50 graduate programs across six academic colleges, including in-demand STEM-focused programs, to prepare for your future career.[1]
How Many Cal Poly Schools Are There?
There are three Cal Poly schools: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal Poly Humboldt. All three are part of the California State University (CSU) system, which has 22 universities.
At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, academic programs are organized across six colleges with specialized departments and degree programs:
- College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
- College of Architecture and Environmental Design
- Orfalea College of Business
- College of Engineering
- College of Liberal Arts
- Bailey College of Science and Mathematics
Collectively, these colleges offer over 150 undergraduate majors and more than 50 graduate programs.
What Are the 3 Cal Poly Schools?
Although they share the Cal Poly name, the three polytechnic universities are separate institutions with their own campuses, majors, and admissions decisions:
- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: The original Cal Poly on California’s Central Coast, and the focus of this article. It also includes the Cal Poly Maritime Academy campus in Vallejo, the only degree-granting maritime academy in the West.
- Cal Poly Pomona: A polytechnic university in Southern California’s Los Angeles County.
- Cal Poly Humboldt: Formerly Humboldt State University, located in Arcata on California’s North Coast.
Because each is its own university, you apply to each campus separately through Cal State Apply, the CSU application. At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, you also apply to a specific major, so it helps to know which of the California Polytechnic State University degrees fits you best before you submit. Our guide on writing about your intended major can help you explain that choice clearly.
If you are comparing public universities across California, our overview of the University of California schools explains how the UC system differs from the CSU.
California Polytechnic State University Degrees: Undergraduate Majors
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES)
Recognized as a global leader in undergraduate agricultural education, CAFES combines science, technology, and sustainability to address modern agricultural challenges. Students gain hands-on experience on the university’s farm, vineyards, and production facilities, and the college operates in both San Luis Obispo and Vallejo.
Majors include the following, along with Marine Transportation:[2]
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Communication
- Agricultural Science
- Agricultural Systems Management
- Animal Science
- Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering
- Dairy Science
- Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences
- Environmental Management and Protection
- Food Science
- Forest and Fire Sciences
- Nutrition
- Plant Sciences
- Experience and Event Management
- Wine and Viticulture
College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
CAED is recognized nationally for its studio-based curriculum with programs that allow students to design, build, and test solutions for real clients. Many courses culminate in full-scale construction projects or community planning proposals.
Majors include:[3]
- Architectural Engineering
- Architecture
- City and Regional Planning
- Construction Management
- Landscape Architecture
Orfalea College of Business (OCOB)
OCOB blends business theory with entrepreneurial action with team-based projects and partnerships with leading companies in California and across the country.
Majors include:[4]
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Industrial Technology and Packaging
College of Engineering (CENG)
One of the most prestigious undergraduate engineering programs nationwide, CENG offers ABET-accredited programs. Graduates of CENG are recruited by aerospace, tech, civil infrastructure, and manufacturing companies.
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- General Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Software Engineering
Bailey College of Science and Mathematics (BCSM)
BCSM offers deep education in the natural sciences, data analytics, and mathematics. Many students conduct research alongside faculty, often publishing work before graduation.
Majors include:[6]
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Kinesiology
- Liberal Studies
- Marine Sciences
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Physics
- Public Health
- Statistics
Students in the program have access to state-of-the-art labs, a marine science facility, and field research at sites along the Central Coast.
The School of Education is also part of Bailey College and offers multiple and single-subject credential programs and master’s programs in the education field.
College of Liberal Arts (CLA)
CLA brings together creativity, communication, and critical thinking in the liberal arts programs. Many students combine liberal arts majors with technical minors to create interdisciplinary skill sets.
Majors include:[7]
- Anthropology and Geography
- Art and Design
- Child Development
- Communication Studies
- Comparative Ethnic Studies
- English
- Graphic Communication
- History
- Interdisciplinary Studies in Liberal Arts
- Journalism
- Music
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre Arts
Beyond formal majors, CLA offers other degree programs and minors like Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies, Science, Technology and Society Minors Program, Western Intellectual Tradition, and Women’s, Gender and Queer Studies.
Cal Poly’s STEM-Focused Programs
If you’re set on a STEM-focused education, Cal Poly ranks among the nation’s top polytechnic universities. Its engineering college offers ABET-accredited programs, and students can add a cross-disciplinary minor in data science. If computing interests you, our guide on whether computer science is the best major for you is a useful next read.
True to the polytechnic education, Cal Poly combines rigorous technical education with the “Learn by Doing” approach that immerses students in real-world problem-solving from their first year forward. Each course combines deep theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience that ensures students leave prepared for the workforce.
Examples of “Learn by Doing” at Cal Poly include:
- Aerospace engineering students designing and launching satellites
- Computer science majors developing mobile apps for local businesses
- Environmental engineering students testing water systems for rural communities
- Biology majors conducting coastal marine research on kelp forest environments
How to Choose Among Cal Poly’s Degrees
With so many options, start by matching your interests to a college, then compare the majors within it. Look at the required first-year courses, the lab or studio work each program emphasizes, and the minors you could pair with it. For engineering applicants, our breakdown of the most challenging engineering majors explains how programs differ in workload and focus.
Show that fit in your application. Coursework in the subjects your major builds on, along with projects, jobs, or activities that reflect hands-on learning, demonstrates that you are ready for a Learn by Doing education.
Graduate Programs at Cal Poly
Cal Poly offers over 50 graduate programs, including master’s degrees, teaching credentials, and blended bachelor’s/master’s options. Graduate students often work on applied research projects sponsored by industry partners or public agencies.
Notable graduate programs include:[8]
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Business Analytics
- City and Regional Planning
- Nutrition
- Public Policy
There are graduate certificate programs available:
- Fire Protection Engineering Science
- Fire Protection Engineering Applications
- Business Analytics
- Cal Poly EPoCE Tech Bootcamps
- Quarter Plus (accelerated program)
There’s also the option of a blended program, or 4+1 program, that provides an accelerated path to a graduate degree while you’re earning your bachelor’s. Some of the eligible programs include:
- Food Science, BMS
- Nutrition, BMS
- Architectural Engineering, BS+MS
- Architecture, BARCH+MSARCH
- Aerospace Engineering, BMS
- Biomedical Engineering, BMS
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, BMS
- Computer Science, BMS
- Electrical Engineering, BMS
- Engineering Management, BMS
- Industrial Engineering, BMS
- Mechanical Engineering, BMS
- English, BMA
- Public Policy, BAMPP
- Mathematics, BMS
- Polymers and Coatings, BMS
- Statistics, BMS
The School of Education also offers several graduate programs:
- Bilingual Authorization
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Leadership and Administration
- Higher Education Counseling and Student Affairs
- Multiple Subject Credential Program
- Single Subject Credential Program
- Special Education with a Mild/Moderate Disabilities Credential Program
Graduate students have solid faculty mentorship because of small class sizes, and they build industry connections for high job placement after graduation.
Industry Partnerships and Career Outcomes
Cal Poly’s flagship school location in San Luis Obispo is midway between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, putting it within reach of major tech, agriculture, aerospace, and media industries. Cal Poly Career Services connects students with employers in these industries through career fairs, on-campus recruiting, and job search resources.[9]
According to career services data:[10]
- Cal Poly publishes an annual Graduate Status Report that tracks what graduates are doing within nine months of graduation.
- In the most recent report, the largest share of responding graduates were working full time, and many others were attending graduate school.
- Results are broken out by college, so you can review outcomes for the program you are considering.
- Many graduates secure positions through internships and on-campus recruiting.
- Career Services supports students with job search tools, career fairs, and employer connections throughout their degree.
Plan for Cal Poly Admissions
Classes are often small, too: in computer science and software engineering, classes rarely exceed 35 students and are taught by faculty. [11] With its commitment to experiential learning through labs, studios, internships, and other hands-on experiences, Cal Poly is a highly sought-after school that prepares students for their future careers. If you have your sights set on one of Cal Poly’s competitive programs, InGenius Prep offers intensive college admissions prep to gain a competitive edge on your applications.
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