Just wondering what being a “regional” university means and if Cal Poly SLO is known outside of California. S25 has some great OOS business school options (UGA, Florida, Indiana , CU_Boulder amongst others), and wondering if he should even consider SLO - if he is admitted.
I expect he will not stay in California after graduating from college.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
One of the smartest and most successful people I know went to Cal Poly for undergrad. He has worked his entire career on the East Coast.
I think it means nothing.
You can go to Southern Connecticut State and end up in CA.
CPSLO is nationally known as a top flight school in every way.
Except a magazine or two.
Sure most will end up in CA - for the same reason people go there. CA is the nicest place to live in the country. Even with taxes.
My son’s first two years have been in Utah, CA, Arizona and now Florida. After this rotation he will go somewhere long term.
He whines about CA taxes but guess where he wants to be. CA.
But Cal Poly as most call SLO - is in no way regional.
You’ll see NY and Mass are #5 and 7 most places. Doesn’t give quantities - but I’d have no concern.
If you want a job back east, you apply for jobs back east.
Ps - he’s got lots of great choices !! Most of course would pick others bcuz most pick on rank. But nothing wrong with Cal Poly if it’s where he feels best.
This may not fit him but it’s a business / engineering combo - accredited by AACSB. Very unique.
Good luck.
Thanks. Appreciate your thoughts. My biggest concern is not being known outside of CA. Our whole family is moving away so want to make sure he isn’t disadvantaging himself once it comes time to start his career. Time will tell what he decides.
IMO, SLO is not that well-known outside CA. My older kid graduated Michigan and roommates and friends had not heard of SLO. That’s just an anecdote from one person on the Internet.
But unless, your kid is attending Wharton, Ross, MIT, NYU, or other institutions of that same ilk, then I don’t think an undergraduate business degree from San Luis Obispo will hold your kid back from getting a job somewhere else in the country.
If your child is ready to leave CA, then there’s not much I tell you other than a degree from SLO is an outstanding value for a CA resident.
My younger kid, who attends SLO, though not in the College of Business, has received every research opportunity, internship, or job that they have applied for in the past 3+ years.
I don’t disagree but how many out west have heard of Amherst or Williams or Wellesley.
Or anyone anywhere Rice or WashU.
I grew up in NJ and knew the school but simply as Cal Poly.
Often times the general public knows schools based on sports - so Bama, Ohio State, Michigan etc.
Besides tons of hiring today is done on line today.
Mostly I’d say.
My Charleston kid is going to Denver at graduation - poli Sci / Intl Studies. Sue targeted Denver. Zero issue from South Carolina.
The student should, in my opinion, choose the right fit. Lots of great choices.
They won’t eliminate a geography no matter where they go - if that’s the concern. IMHO of course.
US News rankings define Regional Universities as schools that are focused on undergrad education. They may also offer masters degrees but usually no doctorates. Not sure how employers view SLO business grads outside of CA but I’ve heard nothing but great things about the business school.
I agree. But @TLC73, that does not mean that it’s not a good school. I work in fintech in the NYC metropolitan area and I hadn’t heard of CalPoly SLO until I joined CC. But I have heard nothing but good things about the school since then.
There are certain industries and firms (for example, in investment banking) that are very big on brand-name, but these are in the minority. If your son isn’t interested in those roles, he will be fine applying to firms all over the country. The education he will receive will set him up well for success anywhere.
This is a pretty awesome endorsement. 
Yes, according to USNWR, “national universities” offer doctoral programs. “Regional universities” do not offer doctoral programs. Cal Poly SLO does not offer doctoral programs, therefore Cal Poly SLO is listed as a “regional university” at USNWR.
Just wondering what being a “regional” university means and if Cal Poly SLO is known outside of California.
The definition has nothing to do with whether Cal Poly SLO is known outside of CA (it is) or is a good school (it is).
It is known outside of California, and has a good reputation. If it is a fit in terms of major(s) and vibe, he should take it seriously as a prospect.
Considered formally, U.S. News describes Regional Universities rather simply:
Which begs the question - who made them the expert.
Answer - those who believe what they say.
FWIW, I recently met a person, in their low 30’s, who when asked just said he went to small school in MA. I asked what school was that. He said Williams. 
He said not many people have heard of Williams around here. So he rarely mentions the name.
Perhaps my use of an ellipsis was counterproductive. U.S. News relies on Carnegie classifications. This is the complete sentence from USN:
Abd eho made them the expert.
Is someone impacted by going to Lehigh (R2) vs Penn Staye or Nebraska ((R1).
Or Miami Ohio (R2) instead of LSU. Or Memphis…both R1.
So I take it with a grain of salt - in regards to what OP’s concern is.
As a native Californian who lived in several different areas of the state, I couldn’t disagree with this more
I don’t think of CPSLO as a regional university at all. If I think of regional, I think of a majority commuter college with a low graduation rate. That isn’t CPSLO.
USNews follows the Carnegie classification of colleges/Unis. The schools that they list under National are big research Unis with multiple PhD programs, i.e, R1. They list other schools as Regional.
agree that those biz schools have a national cachet. Of those on OP’s list, Indiana biz is also well regarded. That said, if the plans are to move to either Colorado or Florida, those schools will have better local connections for jobs.
S24 is currently attending UC Davis, which is ranked #33 by US News national college ranking. And top 10 US public colleges. I doubt anybody from East coast knows it. FYI, CPSLO rejected him last year. Good Luck.
In my opinion, SLO is an excellent school, especially for certain majors including business. It is very cost efficient and leads to many opportunities. It may also depend on what area your son wants to focus in while in college. Finance? IB? Accounting? Consulting? Tech? Entrepreneurship? I would say that if your son does accounting, it’s an excellent school that places students into the Big4.
However, I live in CA. It’s excellent for business here. I believe OOS tuition is around $20,000 not including room and board. Moreover, although someone can be very successful nationally or even internationally at a regional college like SLO or UPortland(where my son graduated with a BBA), the fact is that the job opportunities will often be connected in business to your internship, alumni network, contacts, and those who either know you or the school. For regional schools, the alumni network at Cal Poly will be both SoCal and NoCal, mostly. Maybe up and down the west coast, maybe. SLO is not a nationally known school in my opinion for most business, and it could be more challenging to find work than attending another regional college or state flagship school in your child’s future location. Many confuse Cal Poly with Pomona and it’s reputation although excellent in so many areas sometimes gets overlooked as simply being a CalState school since it’s not a UC school (although SLO is as hard to get into and as good a school as a top UC!)
You mention UGA, Florida, Indiana , CU_Boulder. All great schools. If your child plans to live in any of those states or in the south, it makes sense to attend very good to great schools like UGA or UF. If your son lives in Denver or the west coast, CU. Indiana Kelley has a very reputable business school, and probably depending on the business emphasis, may be advantageous nationwide (accounting, etc.).
Moreover, I’ve toured Cal Poly SLO and the area. Either you love it or hate it. I don’t think there’s much in between. Honestly, if you’re used to living in a big city with a night life and action, I don’t see this being the school to attend. The town is not diverse at all as compared to other cities in the Bay Area or LA. If you like the outdoors, hiking, maybe the beach although awfully cold in the central coast, and a small town vibe, then SLO might be a good option.
However, when my daughter toured SLO’s Orfalea after touring other schools like USC Marshall, or even my son’s school up at UP, or UCB Haas, there was no comparison. For the price it’s great, but you get what you pay for. The college is pretty large, over 9000 acres! there’s a lot of walking and some hills. The student population is larger than other regional schools at over 21,000 with nearly 3000 in the business school, and it’s building and resources were not updated, the building was crowded and looked like a maze, and there were so little study rooms for students to collaborate privately together. After our tour, we decided it was not for her and there were many other better options.
In my honest opinion, I personally would not recommend SLO out of the schools you mentioned if those schools are closer to the areas where he wants to live in or as good for his major or emphasis. It’s a great public school that’s reasonably priced but is considered the number one west regional university for a reason.