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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs Pitzer College

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Pick one to see what families like yours paid at each. Source: College Scorecard.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo, CA. Pitzer College is a private college in Claremont, CA. Pitzer College admits about 25% of applicants and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo about 31%, making Pitzer College 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 $34,191 at Pitzer College. About 86% of students graduate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, compared with 83% at Pitzer College. Ten years after enrolling, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo alumni earn a median of about $90,768, against $69,512 for Pitzer College.

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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

Pitzer College

Claremont, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Claremont, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
21,996
1,227
Acceptance rate
31%
25%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–4
3.52–4
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
$34,191
Full cost / yr
$32,265
$86,466
In-state tuition
$13,596
$65,192
Out-of-state tuition
$34,665
$65,192
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,529
$14,535
$30k - $48k
$7,253
$7,769
$48k - $75k
$9,896
$20,846
$75k - $110k
$15,786
$29,452
Over $110k
$27,772
$46,793
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
83%
Freshman retention
96%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$72,358
$51,784
Median earnings (10 yr)
$90,768
$69,512
Median debt at graduation
$18,500
$16,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
11%
First-generation students
25%
23%
International students
1%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Jan 10

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 Pitzer College harder to get into?
Pitzer College is harder to get into. It admits about 25% of applicants, compared with 31% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 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 Pitzer College?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,665 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $34,191 at Pitzer College. 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 Pitzer College?
Before aid, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo costs about $32,265 a year and Pitzer College about $86,466. 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 Pitzer College?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,529 there, against about $14,535 at Pitzer College. 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 Pitzer College?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is the larger of the two, with about 21,996 undergraduates against 1,227 at Pitzer College.
Does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Pitzer College have a better graduation rate?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 83% at Pitzer College.
Do graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Pitzer College 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 $69,512 for Pitzer College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Pitzer College 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. Pitzer College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

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