Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, known for its hands-on "Learn by Doing" approach, has become one of the most competitive public universities in California, with certain majors experiencing particularly high demand.
Over the past two decades, Cal Poly SLO has seen a dramatic rise in both applications and selectivity. In 2004, the university received around 25,000 applications with an acceptance rate near 50%. By 2023, applications had surged to over 74,000, and the overall acceptance rate had plummeted as the number of admitted students did not grow over the same time period.
This trend is especially evident in popular technology programs, where highly qualified students are getting outright rejected. The increasing selectivity reflects Cal Poly SLO’s growing reputation and popularity among students in California. In fact, as a college counselor, I often get questions regarding selectivity at SLO: How selective is Computer Science at SLO? Which major and alternate major should I pick? Which majors at the most impacted at SLO?
How hard is it to get into Cal Poly SLO?
In case you haven't picked up by the questions I'm asked, a distinctive aspect of Cal Poly SLO’s admissions process is that students are admitted on a major-by-major basis, requiring applicants to be committed to a specific course of study. This can add some pressure for undecided applicants, as they need to determine their intended major before applying.
Fortunately, Cal Poly SLO, as a California public university, is transparent with its admissions data. In this blog post, we will examine the ten most selective majors based on publicly available data from the most recent applicant pool in Fall 2023. Make sure to check out the entire list, as you’ll likely be surprised by the most selective major they offer!
Methodology
Before we dive into the majors, we just need to clarify the process we used to identify the ten most selective majors at Cal Poly SLO. Using data from Cal Poly SLO’s Institutional Research website, we focused on the following criteria:
Number of First-Year Applicants
Number of Seats Available for Freshmen
Applicants-to-Seats Ratio: We calculate this ratio by dividing the number of applicants by the number of available seats, providing insight into the competitiveness of each major.
Yield Rate: This metric, provided by Cal Poly SLO, indicates the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll.
Estimated Acceptance Rate: Using the yield rate, we used an internal calculation estimate the acceptance rate for each major, as exact acceptance rates for individual majors are not published.
Without further ado, here's the list of the 10 most selective majors at Cal Poly SLO.
10. Economics – 5.47% Applicants-to-Seats Ratio
School: Orfalea College of Business Yield Rate: 20.60% Estimated Acceptance Rate: 12.87%
Economics, part of the Orfalea College of Business, prepares students for careers in finance, consulting, and policy analysis. With 1,371 applications for 75 seats, it’s statistically the most popular choice among business-oriented students as it is only 1/9 the size of the Business Administration major.
9. TIE: Mechanical Engineering & Biomedical Engineering – 5.16% Applicants-to-Seats Ratio
School: College of Engineering Yield Rate: 31.70% Estimated Acceptance Rate: 16.27%
Mechanical Engineering, a versatile major in the College of Engineering, spans industries from automotive to aerospace. With 4,456 applicants for 230 seats, it remains in high demand and continues to attract a strong applicant pool. It is also the largest major at the school.
Biomedical Engineering, blending engineering and healthcare applications, attracts students interested in medical devices and biotechnology. This major had 2,036 applicants vying for only 105 seats, reflecting its competitive nature, and barely edging out Mechanical Engineering.
8. Political Science – 4.68% Applicants-to-Seats Ratio
School: College of Liberal Arts
Yield Rate: 26.80%
Estimated Acceptance Rate: 17.47%
The Political Science major offers students a deep dive into political systems, public policy, and international relations. With 1,837 applicants and only 86 seats available, this program is both popular and competitive. Known for fostering critical thinking and practical experience, the Political Science curriculum prepares students for careers in law, government, public administration, and advocacy.
7. Biochemistry – 4.47% Applicants-to-Seats Ratio
School: College of Science and Mathematics
Yield Rate: 20.60%
Estimated Acceptance Rate: 21.70%
The Biochemistry major, also within the College of Science and Mathematics, provides a foundation for careers in healthcare, research, and biotechnology. With 1,611 applicants for 72 seats, it’s a highly competitive choice among prospective students.
6. Aerospace Engineering – 3.69% Applicants-to-Seats Ratio
School: College of Engineering
Yield Rate: 33.60%
Estimated Acceptance Rate: 11.63%
Aerospace Engineering is one of Cal Poly’s flagship programs within the College of Engineering, with career prospects in aviation, space exploration, and defense. This major saw 2,305 applications for just 85 seats, reflecting its high demand among students who want to work on airplanes and rocketships.
7. Biological Sciences – 3.32% Applicants-to-Seats Ratio
School: College of Science and Mathematics Yield Rate: 20.60% Estimated Acceptance Rate: 16.12%
Housed within the College of Science and Mathematics, Biological Sciences appeals to students pursuing fields in medicine, ecology, and research. This major had 4,787 applicants and only 159 seats, making it one of the university’s more selective STEM options.
4. Marine Sciences – 3.22% Applicants-to-Seats Ratio
School: College of Science and Mathematics
Yield Rate: 31.70%
Estimated Acceptance Rate: 15.62%
Marine Sciences, part of the College of Science and Mathematics, is ideal for students passionate about environmental and oceanographic research. The program drew 746 applicants, with only 24 seats available, underscoring its selectivity.
3. Software Engineering – 3.30% Applicants-to-Seats Ratio
School: College of Engineering
Yield Rate: 33.60%
Estimated Acceptance Rate: 10.40%
Software Engineering offers a specialized focus on software development within the College of Engineering. With 758 applicants and only 25 seats available, this program prepares students for competitive roles in the technology field.
2. Computer Science – 3.20% Applicants-to-Seats Ratio
School: College of Engineering
Yield Rate: 33.60%
Estimated Acceptance Rate: 10.11%
Within the College of Engineering, the Computer Science major attracts motivated students eager to impact the tech industry. With 6,304 applications for just 202 seats, it remains a top choice among CS-hopefuls throughout California and beyond.
1. Psychology – 2.00% Applicants-to-Seats Ratio
School: College of Liberal Arts
Yield Rate: 26.80%
Estimated Acceptance Rate: 7.45%
Psychology is a popular choice among students at most colleges throughout the US as it offers students pathways into fields like counseling, research, and clinical psychology. This major saw 3,657 applicants competing for only 73 seats, making it one of the most selective programs at Cal Poly. Surprisingly the most popular major, Psychology at SLO is also one of its smallest.
Conclusion Where there any surprises here? Let us know in the comments below! Navigating the competitive admissions landscape at can feel overwhelming, especially universities have such different policies of their admissions processes. However, with careful planning and support, you can make informed choices about the right major and increase your chances of finding that best fit college. At Thinque Prep, our college counseling team is here to guide you through every step, from selecting a major that aligns with your strengths and interests to crafting a strong application. If you have questions about Cal Poly SLO admissions or need personalized college counseling, don’t hesitate to contact us. Let us help you take the next steps toward your educational goals with confidence and clarity.
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