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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs California Institute of the Arts

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo, CA. California Institute of the Arts is a private institute in Valencia, CA. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants and California Institute of the Arts about 32%, making California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $16,665 a year at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo after aid, and about $46,080 at California Institute of the Arts. About 86% of students graduate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, compared with 65% at California Institute of the Arts. Ten years after enrolling, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo alumni earn a median of about $90,768, against $41,198 for California Institute of the Arts.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Valencia, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
21,996
860
Acceptance rate
31%
32%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–4
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1220–1410
Not reported
ACT (middle 50%)
26–32
Not reported
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,665
$46,080
Full cost / yr
$32,265
$77,560
In-state tuition
$13,596
$58,996
Out-of-state tuition
$34,665
$58,996
Application fee
$70
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,529
$26,686
$30k - $48k
$7,253
$40,899
$48k - $75k
$9,896
$51,847
$75k - $110k
$15,786
$38,627
Over $110k
$27,772
$58,873
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
65%
Freshman retention
96%
82%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$72,358
$28,018
Median earnings (10 yr)
$90,768
$41,198
Median debt at graduation
$18,500
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
24%
First-generation students
25%
16%
International students
1%
26%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Jan 5

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or California Institute of the Arts harder to get into?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is harder to get into. It admits about 31% of applicants, compared with 32% at California Institute of the Arts. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or California Institute of the Arts?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,665 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $46,080 at California Institute of the Arts. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and California Institute of the Arts?
Before aid, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo costs about $32,265 a year and California Institute of the Arts about $77,560. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or California Institute of the Arts?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,529 there, against about $26,686 at California Institute of the Arts. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or California Institute of the Arts?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is the larger of the two, with about 21,996 undergraduates against 860 at California Institute of the Arts.
Does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or California Institute of the Arts have a better graduation rate?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 65% at California Institute of the Arts.
Do graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or California Institute of the Arts earn more?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo alumni earn more on average: a median of about $90,768 ten years after enrolling, against about $41,198 for California Institute of the Arts. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and California Institute of the Arts require SAT or ACT scores?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. California Institute of the Arts is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

Related comparisons

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