The total cost of attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo varies depending on whether a student is a California resident or an out-of-state applicant, as public tuition rates differ significantly. For in-state residents, annual tuition and mandatory campus fees total roughly 10,000 to 12,000 dollars, while out-of-state students face supplementary non-resident fees that push annual tuition closer to 30,000 dollars. When factoring in housing, meal plans, books, and personal expenses, the comprehensive annual cost of attendance ranges from approximately 28,000 to over 48,000 dollars per year.