California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of California-Irvine
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo, CA. University of California-Irvine is a public university in Irvine, CA. University of California-Irvine admits about 29% of applicants and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo about 31%, making University of California-Irvine the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,251 a year at University of California-Irvine after aid, and about $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students graduate at both. Ten years after enrolling, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo alumni earn a median of about $90,768, against $80,735 for University of California-Irvine.
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At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Irvine, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
21,996
30,197
Acceptance rate
31%
29%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–4
3.46–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1220–1410
1230–1430
ACT (middle 50%)
26–32
26–33
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,665
$14,251
Full cost / yr
$32,265
$38,632
In-state tuition
$13,596
$15,722
Out-of-state tuition
$34,665
$49,922
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,529
$8,123
$30k - $48k
$7,253
$9,313
$48k - $75k
$9,896
$11,642
$75k - $110k
$15,786
$15,164
Over $110k
$27,772
$30,546
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
86%
Freshman retention
96%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$72,358
$56,210
Median earnings (10 yr)
$90,768
$80,735
Median debt at graduation
$18,500
$15,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
36%
First-generation students
25%
44%
International students
1%
12%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Nov 30
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.
- Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Irvine harder to get into?
- University of California-Irvine is harder to get into. It admits about 29% 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 University of California-Irvine?
- University of California-Irvine is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,251 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $16,665 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.
- What is the full cost of attendance at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Irvine?
- Before aid, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo costs about $32,265 a year and University of California-Irvine about $38,632. 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 University of California-Irvine?
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,529 there, against about $8,123 at University of California-Irvine. 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 University of California-Irvine?
- University of California-Irvine is the larger of the two, with about 30,197 undergraduates against 21,996 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
- Does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Irvine have a better graduation rate?
- Both graduate about 86% of their students.
- Do graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Irvine 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 $80,735 for University of California-Irvine. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Irvine 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. University of California-Irvine is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Irvine look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1220–1410 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and 1230–1430 at University of California-Irvine. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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Which of these is the better fit for you?
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