California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is a public university in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. Founded in 1901, it is the oldest of three polytechnic universities within the California State University system. Cal Poly empha California State University system. Cal Poly emphasizes a “learn by doing” philosophy, integrating hands-on, practical experiences into its curriculum. As of fall 2022, Cal Poly had approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 800 graduate students. Cal Poly is well-regarded for its undergraduate programs, having been ranked first among regional universities in the Western United States in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The university is home to several nationally recognized programs, particularly in engineering, architecture, and business, with the College of Engineering and the Orfalea College of Business standing out for their academic excellence and industry connections. Most of the university's athletic teams participate in the Big West Conference. History The California Polytechnic School Establishment and early years Cal Poly was founded in 1901 as the California Polytechnic School, following the signing of the California Polytechnic School Bill by Governor Henry Gage. The school began classes on October 1, 1903, with 20 students enrolled, offering three-year secondary-level courses. Originally coeducational, the school enrolled 16 male and 4 female students. In 1929, California Governor C.C. Young prohibited women from attending. Women were readmitted in 1956. By Fall 2023, female students constituted 50.1% of the total student population. Transition to higher education In 1924, Cal Poly came under the control of the California State Board of Education. During the Great Depression, financial constraints led to discussions in Sacramento about converting Cal Poly into a state prison. It was saved by Julian A. McPhee, who went on to lead Cal Poly as its president for thirty-three years. In 1933, the institution transitioned to a two-year technological and vocational school. By 1940, it began offering Bachelor of Arts degrees, with the first baccalaureate ceremony held in 1942. In 1947, the school was renamed California State Polytechnic College to better reflect its expanding higher education offerings. A Master of Arts degree in education was added in 1949. Expansion and satellite campuses In 1938, Charles and Jerry Voorhis donated a farm and school to the Cal Poly. In 1949, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation gifted an 812-acre horse ranch in Pomona, California. Originally a satellite campus for Cal Poly, the Pomona campus became an independent university, Cal Poly Pomona, in 1966. Integration into the CSU system In 1960, control of Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and other state colleges was transferred to the newly formed CSU system. That same year, a plane crash killed 22 of the 48 people on board, including 16 Cal Poly football players. Authorized to offer Master of Science degrees in 1967, Cal Poly reorganized its curriculum from 1967 to 1970 into specialized schools: the School of Science and Mathematics, the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the School of Architecture. In 1968, Cal Poly's FM radio station, KCPR, was launched as a senior project. In 1971, the California State Legislature officially renamed the institution California Polytechnic State University. Since the 1970s, the university has seen steady enrollment growth and significant campus expansion. Major donations and 21st century developments On May 3, 2017, Cal Poly received a $110 million gift from alumni William L. and Linda Frost, one of the largest donations ever made to public education in California. In 2024, the CSU system recommended integrating Cal Maritime with Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. ...view more