Getting into CalPoly’s College of Engineering is becoming increasingly competitive, with one-third of freshman applicants choosing to apply to engineering programs. Last year, the overall acceptance rate was 29%, with acceptance rates dropping below 20% for any STEM-related majors. This high level of competition means that prospective students must carefully consider which program aligns best with their academic and professional goals.

To be competitive for admission to Cal Poly’s College of Engineering, applicants should aim for a high GPA. The average GPA for admitted students is 4.0, making Cal Poly extremely competitive in terms of academic achievement. This means that applicants will need to maintain nearly straight A’s in all of their classes to stand out among other candidates.

In addition to a strong GPA, prospective students should also aim for a competitive SAT score. The average SAT score for admitted students in the College of Engineering is 1335, making Cal Poly moderately competitive in terms of standardized test scores. To increase their chances of admission, applicants should strive to achieve a score that is at or above the average for the program they are interested in. The admission process at CalPoly is highly competitive, with applicants needing to demonstrate not only academic achievement but also a strong fit with the university’s values and programs.

Cal Poly ENG Admission Statistics
Criteria	Details
Average GPA Requirement	4.0
Average SAT Score	1335
Acceptance Rate	29% overall, < 20% in STEM majors

Under the most hired category, Cal Poly architecture ranked No. 2 out of all programs with over 100 graduates. Cal Poly landscape architecture ranked No. 1 out of all programs with over 35 graduates, above Harvard University. 

“My teaching is trying to understand the students, who you’re talking to — you learn with them,” landscape architecture professor and Department Head Omar Faluque said.

Faluque was recently recognized as an Outstanding Alumni from his alma mater, Texas A&M, the highest honor given to alumni.

“We the environmental design professionals have to provide leadership through our work and actions,” Faruque said in his acceptance speech.  

Under the focus areas category, Cal Poly’s undergraduate architecture program placed in all 12 categories for undergraduates, including No.1 in construction materials and methods and engineering fundamentals. 

Cal Poly’s landscape architecture program ranked in all 12 categories as well, placing No. 1 in undergraduate education for construction materials and methods, engineering fundamentals, healthy built environments, practice management, sustainable built environments/adaptive design/resilient design, and transdisciplinary collaboration across A/E/C.