What major is easiest to get into Cal Poly SLO?

The easiest majors to get into at Cal Poly SLO are generally in the agricultural and liberal studies fields, with recent data showing high availability relative to applicants for programs like Agricultural Communication, Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration, Liberal Studies, Industrial Technology & Packaging, and various Agricultural Sciences (like Plant Science, Dairy Science, Ag Systems Management, Bioresource Engineering, Wine & Viticulture). These majors consistently have lower application numbers compared to available spots, making them less competitive than popular STEM programs.

What is the easiest way to get into Cal Poly?

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission. If you're able to score a 1420 SAT or a 33 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in. For a school as selective as Cal Poly, rounding out the rest of your application will also help.

Does Cal Poly SLO admit by major?

We evaluate and admit students by their major and admission is competitive in all majors. Each major, other than those within Cal Poly Maritime Academy, has its own selection criteria and required coursework for transfer students to have completed in order to be considered competitive during the selection process.

What is the best major to apply to Cal Poly SLO?

The most popular majors at California Polytechnic State University--San Luis Obispo include: Engineering; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields; Social Sciences; Architecture and Related Services; Computer and Information ...

What is the hardest major to get into at Cal Poly SLO?

The hardest major to get into at Cal Poly SLO depends on whether you're a freshman or transfer, but Psychology is consistently the most competitive for freshmen, with acceptance rates often below 3%, followed closely by Biological Sciences and Aerospace Engineering; for transfers, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Engineering/CS majors also become extremely difficult, sometimes with virtually no spots available. 

The Only College Degrees Still Worth It in 2026

What is the least impacted major at Cal Poly SLO?

At Cal Poly SLO, liberal arts and humanities majors generally have less competition compared to engineering, architecture, and certain disciplines in the sciences. Examples of less impacted majors include English, history, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.

What are the top 3 hardest majors?

While difficulty is subjective, Medicine, Engineering (especially Chemical/Aerospace), and Physics/Chemistry consistently rank as the top hardest majors due to intense coursework, demanding problem-solving, heavy memorization, and complex analytical skills, often leading to very low average GPAs and extensive study hours. Other contenders often cited include Architecture, Neuroscience, and Computer Science. 

What is the most popular major at Cal Poly?

Each year, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo awards around 689 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, the school's most popular major.

Is it harder to get into UCLA or Cal Poly?

Generally, UCLA is harder to get into than Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (SLO) based on overall lower acceptance rates and higher applicant competitiveness, but Cal Poly SLO is extremely competitive in specific, popular majors like Engineering and Computer Science, sometimes rivaling or exceeding the difficulty of certain UC programs. While UCLA's overall admissions are tougher, Cal Poly SLO's focused programs make it very selective, often considered the most competitive Cal State school and rivaling some UCs. 

Can I switch majors at Cal Poly SLO?

Continuing students interested in beginning the change of major process during the summer quarter should contact the department of their intended major to inquire on their options. Incoming first-year and transfer students must finish one academic quarter BEFORE starting the change of major process.

What is the 25-35 rule at Cal Poly?

The Cal Poly "25-35 rule" is a guideline recommending students study 25-35 hours per week, or about two hours of study time for every one hour of class time (2 hours/unit), treating coursework like a full-time job (40-50 hour work week) to manage the demanding quarter system. This means dedicating significant time outside of class for self-learning, reading, and assignments to keep up with the fast pace and build deep understanding. 

How does Cal Poly SLO decide admissions?

All candidates are objectively evaluated by the cognitive and non-cognitive variables under our faculty-mandated Multi-Criteria Admission (MCA) process. We encourage students to apply to the program they feel best fits their academic and professional goals.

Is UC Davis or Cal Poly SLO better for engineering?

In conclusion, if you prefer a more theoretical and research-oriented engineering education, UC Davis might be the better choice. If hands-on, practical learning and industry readiness are your priorities, consider Cal Poly SLO.

What are the feeder schools for Cal Poly?

“Our largest feeder schools are Cuesta College, Allan Hancock College, San Luis Obispo High School, and Arroyo Grande High School. Students who graduated from a local high school remain twice as likely to gain admission to Cal Poly than those outside our local area.”

Does Cal Poly SLO look at extracurriculars?

In general, the CSU campuses do not consider extracurricular activities or require/accept essays, but some campuses, including Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, do a “light” review of extracurricular activity involvement and leadership.

What's the easiest major to get into at Cal Poly?

The easiest majors to get into at Cal Poly SLO often fall under the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) or Industrial Technology, with recent less competitive examples including Agricultural Communications, Bioresource & Agricultural Engineering, Plant Sciences, Wine & Viticulture, Industrial Technology & Packaging, and Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration, but competitiveness varies yearly, so check the latest data from the San Luis Obispo Tribune for the most current trends. 

Is UCSB or Cal Poly better?

In summary, if you prioritize a hands-on, immediately employable education and strong industry connections, Cal Poly SLO is a better choice. If you're interested in a research-oriented education with a more laid-back environment and a wider variety of campus life experiences, UC Santa Barbara might be a better fit.

Which CSU is easiest to get into?

The easiest CSU to get into generally has a very high acceptance rate, with CSU Polytechnic University, Humboldt, CSU Stanislaus, and CSU Channel Islands frequently cited as having some of the highest, often above 90%. Other accessible options include CSU East Bay, CSU Fresno, CSU San Bernardino, and Sonoma State, but admission depends on your major and application strength, so always check specific program requirements. 

What is the hardest major to get into Cal Poly SLO?

The hardest major to get into at Cal Poly SLO depends on whether you're a freshman or transfer, but Psychology is consistently the most competitive for freshmen, with acceptance rates often below 3%, followed closely by Biological Sciences and Aerospace Engineering; for transfers, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Engineering/CS majors also become extremely difficult, sometimes with virtually no spots available. 

What are the 10 hardest majors?

CollegeVine's Top 10 Hardest Majors

• Electrical Engineering. Average GPA: 3.3.
• Physics. Average GPA: 3.1. ...
• Architecture. Average GPA: 3.3. ...
• Nursing. Average GPA: 3.2. ...
• Accounting. Average GPA: 3.2. ...
• Cellular and Molecular Biology. Average GPA: 3.2. ...
• Philosophy. Average GPA: 3.1. ...
• Fine Arts. Average GPA: 3.2. Average Weekly Study Hours: 18.1. ...

What are the top 5 most popular majors?

The top 5 most popular college majors consistently include Business (Administration/Management), Health Professions (especially Nursing), Psychology, Computer Science/IT, and Engineering, with slight variations in ranking by year, institution, or survey focus (e.g., enrollment vs. in-demand). These fields offer diverse career paths, from technical roles to people-focused careers, attracting large numbers of students seeking strong job prospects and personal interest. 

What is the #1 easiest major?

There's no single #1 easiest major, as it depends on your strengths, but Psychology, Education, English, and Criminal Justice frequently rank as the easiest due to higher average GPAs and less demanding technical skills compared to STEM fields, often focusing on human behavior, societal structures, and communication. Majors like Sociology, Social Work, and Communications are also commonly cited as easier liberal arts options. 

What are the least picked majors?

Precision Production, Library Science, Military Technologies, and Theology are among the least common majors. Some majors are uncommon due to limited career demand, niche interest areas, and limited access to specialized equipment or resources.

Which major has the most dropouts?

Dropout rates by major:

STEM fields have higher attrition than non-STEM majors overall. Computer science has a 10.7% early dropout rate (among the highest) Business and engineering also show high early losses. Only 40% of those who declare STEM majors complete the degree.