Three-Year Pathway to Graduation
Vision
The Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business offers a unique accelerated degree option for those looking to save time and money or jumpstart their careers. While the traditional four-year college experience is still the most appropriate for many students, this accelerated three-year pathway provides the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree in less time, allowing students to:
- Begin careers earlier
- Save time and money while pursuing a high-quality education
- Complete bachelor’s + master’s degrees within the traditional four-year period
- Build post-graduation time for global travel, service learning, or other experience before beginning careers
Who Would Be Interested in This Experience?
- Students who have completed advanced placement (AP) or community college credits totaling at least 20% or 36 quarter units prior to attending Cal Poly
- Students interested in completing the BSBA degree and one-year Orfalea graduate degree program (Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Business Analytics, and Master of Science in Quantitative Economics)
How Do I Earn 180 Credits in Three Years?
Collaborate with the academic advising team to declare a concentration/emphasis and customize a plan that aligns with your goals and prior credits to complete the bachelor’s degree requirements within three years. The BUS 100 Orientation & College Success Course, taken first quarter of the first year, includes a developing personalized plan to achieve academic and career aspirations, which include the necessary coursework as well as opportunities for internships, minors, and study-abroad programs.
Cost Savings of Graduating in Three Years
Graduating early can lead to significant financial benefits:
| Educational Cost | California Resident | Non-Resident |
| Tuition and fees | $11,000 | $28,000 |
| Living expenses | $16,000 | $16,000 |
| Total | $27,000 | $44,000 |
Opportunity Cost of Starting a Career Earlier:
Graduating in three years allows students to enter the workforce one year sooner. The average starting salary for business graduates is $78,000.
Example Scenario:
A California resident who graduates in three years saves $27,000 in tuition and living costs and earns an additional in their first year of employment. This results in a total financial gain of approximately $92,000 compared to the traditional four-year path.
“Graduating in three years gave me the unique opportunity to further my education by completing my master’s in business analytics at Cal Poly, all within the traditional 4-year timeframe and at a similar cost as an out-of-state student. Despite the accelerated schedule, I was able to study abroad and manage a balanced course load, thanks to the AP credits I had from high school.
I decided to graduate early because it allowed me to fully maximize my time at Cal Poly, taking advantage of both academic and extracurricular opportunities and providing me more opportunities for my future career.
The Orfalea College of Business was incredibly supportive, providing resources and guidance to help me develop a plan early on to make this possible.”