Frequently Asked Questions
What are the majors in the Orfalea College of Business?
There are three majors in the college of business and you must choose a major before you apply. To learn more about the majors, click on the links below.
What are the concentrations?
A concentration is your focus or emphasis of study. There are nine concentrations for Business Administration and Economics students to choose from. To learn more about each concentration click on the concentration below.
- Accounting
- Consumer Packaging
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial Management
- Information Systems
- Management and Human Resources
- Marketing Management
- Quantitative Analysis
- Real Estate Finance
There are also two concentrations for Industrial Technology and Packaging Students to choose from. Click below to learn more.
What is the average class size?
The average class size in the Orfalea College of Business is between 45-60 students.
When do you have to choose a concentration?
Freshmen students have until the end of their second year to declare their concentration and transfer students have until the end of their first year. However, students can declare their concentrations any time before then as well. Students can only declare one concentration but can add multiple minors offered throughout the university.
Is there a certain device students need (Apple, PC, iPad, etcetera)?
No, students can choose based on their preference. There are also computers in the business building (as well as other locations on campus), which are preset with any application students may need in their classes
What resources exist for student success?
There are many resources available within the Orfalea College of Business. These include student leadership opportunities, which are available free of charge and provide students an opportunity to serve in volunteer and paid leadership positions. To learn more about these, click the links below:
- Ambassadors: the external, student face of the College of Business
- Peer Advisors: teams which provide student academic advising and course scheduling
- Peer Mentors: a one-on-one peer support system for personal, academic, and professional goals
- Multicultural Business Program: a community created to increase the enrollment and success of students from traditionally underserved backgrounds
- Transfer-Mation: a student-run resource group for transfer students
- Career Peer Advisors: providing peer-to-peer professional coaching
- College-specific clubs: providing networking opportunities and a sense of community for those with similar interests, including two co-ed professional business fraternities
What does job placement look like for students in the Orfalea College of Business?
- 86% of students graduate with a full-time job
- 93% are positively engaged
- Accounting students have a 95% job placement post-graduation
- Top recruiters for the college of business include: Deloitte, KPMG, Ernst & Young, PWC, Workday, Protiviti, Oracle, and Apple
- Clubs also host concentration-specific career fairs, corporate tours, and alumni speakers
What kind of study abroad opportunities are possible?
Our traditional study abroad curriculum includes summer, quarter, semester, or year-long programs, which are available on six continents. Thirty-five percent of Orfalea College of Business students study abroad. Our peer advisors assist in this, helping students plan study abroad into their college experiences. We also have shorter, intensive, and targeted abroad experiences on offer through our International Business Tours.
What resources are available to help students graduate within 4 years?
Freshmen students create a four-year plan for their first quarter in their BUS 100 course to develop a flexible plan to graduate on time. Other resources to help students graduate on time include 20 student advisors and five professional advisors, who aid students in planning and registering for courses. Freshmen students are also blocked into their courses for their first year to ensure they have access to the classes they need to stay on track.
What differentiates the Orfalea College of Business from other institutions?
An altruistic, but competitive culture. Our alumni dedication, as evidenced by our Executive in Residence Program, which allows executives and innovators to return to campus to share knowledge with students and help them build their professional networks. Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing methodology. Our Global Business Leaders Initiative, a program that challenges all students in the Orfalea College of Business to engage in high impact, meaningful experiences across three areas. An emphasis on career readiness through hands-on internships or entrepreneurial experiences. A global mindset, which comes from enrolling in our study abroad programs, joining an Orfalea College of Business International Tour, providing humanitarian aid, or participating in service work in order to build cultural awareness—in short, the type of international exposure business leaders need to immediately contribute to a global marketplace. The leadership skills our students acquire by serving in a leadership role with a Cal Poly club or organization, working as an Orfalea Student Peer Leader in one of our advising or mentoring programs, or volunteering for a social service agency to give back to our community.
Para recibir información en español / for information in Spanish?
El Colegio Orfalea de Negocios ofrece servicios de asesoría académica en español. Algunos de los temas que se pueden tratar son los siguientes: revisar el progreso académico, planeación de clases, selección de especialidades, exploración de las carreras en Administración de Empresas, Economía, y Tecnología Industrial y Empaquetado. Además, se pueden revisar y clarificar polizas y procedimientos y hacer referencias a otros recursos y departamentos de la universidad. También apoyamos a los estudiantes que se encuentran en Periodo Académico de Prueba ofreciendo estrategias de estudio para mejorar sus calificaciones. Siga este enlace para hacer una cita con nuestra Asesora Académica Yovani Alexander.