Overview
The Orfalea College of Business traces its roots to Cal Poly's founding business programs and was renamed in 2000 following a major gift from alumnus Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinko's. The college has built a strong reputation for its hands-on, project-based curriculum grounded in Cal Poly's signature 'Learn by Doing' philosophy, emphasizing applied learning over pure theory. It is consistently ranked among the top public business schools on the West Coast, particularly known for entrepreneurship, accounting, and its strong industry placement rates.
At a Glance
| Type | Public |
| Location | San Luis Obispo, California |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Total students | 3,400 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 20:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 30% |
| Graduation rate | 85% |
| Average starting salary | $68,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $10,500 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $25,400 |
| Room & board | $16,000 |
| Average financial aid | $14,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 60% |
Admissions
| SAT range | 1240-1440 |
| ACT range | 26-32 |
| Average GPA | 4.0 |
| Regular deadline | November 30 |
Top Programs
- Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Business Administration
- Marketing
- Finance
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.