How does Cal Poly San Luis Obispo rank nationally and for specific programs?

I’m a high school junior curious about Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, especially since I've heard it's pretty good for engineering. Can someone break down its national ranking and how it fares for engineering or other programs?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a well-regarded institution, especially noted for its "hands-on" approach to education and its strong focus on undergraduate studies. In terms of national rankings, according to the US News & World Report's 2025 rankings, Cal Poly SLO is ranked #37 in National Public Universities, which is quite a commendable position.

For engineering, it's a top choice for many students; in fact, US News & World Report ranks it as the #8 undergraduate engineering programs in schools where doctorates aren't offered, which speaks to its strength in this field. This ranking applies to schools that focus on undergraduate education and offer a wide range of programs in engineering but not a Ph.D.

Additionally, Cal Poly SLO is known for its Architecture programs. DesignIntelligence, in 2024, ranked the school's undergraduate architecture program as the second-best in the nation.

Lastly, its College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences is another pillar of its academic offerings, particularly lauded for fields such as agribusiness and agricultural engineering.

Remember, rankings are not everything when considering fit for a college; they can be a useful tool to gauge the relative strength or reputation of a program, but it's also important to consider other factors like the school's culture, location, cost, and the specific opportunities available within your potential field of study. Cal Poly SLO is particularly known for its Learn by Doing philosophy, which emphasizes experiential learning and could potentially be a key factor in your decision-making process.