California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of California-San Diego
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo, CA, and University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA. University of California-San Diego is the more selective of the two, admitting about 27% of applicants against 31% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. University of California-San Diego is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $12,470 a year against $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. About 87% of students graduate at University of California-San Diego, compared with 86% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Ten years after enrolling, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo alumni earn a median of about $90,768, against $84,943 for University of California-San Diego.
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At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
La Jolla, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
21,996
34,948
Acceptance rate
31%
27%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–4
3.46–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1220–1410
1270–1480
ACT (middle 50%)
26–32
28–34
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,665
$12,470
Full cost / yr
$32,265
$38,701
In-state tuition
$13,596
$16,758
Out-of-state tuition
$34,665
$50,958
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,529
$7,525
$30k - $48k
$7,253
$8,155
$48k - $75k
$9,896
$9,942
$75k - $110k
$15,786
$15,199
Over $110k
$27,772
$28,785
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
87%
Freshman retention
96%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$72,358
$65,669
Median earnings (10 yr)
$90,768
$84,943
Median debt at graduation
$18,500
$15,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
34%
First-generation students
25%
40%
International students
1%
11%
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-San Diego harder to get into?
- University of California-San Diego is harder to get into. It admits about 27% 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-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,470 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-San Diego?
- Before aid, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo costs about $32,265 a year and University of California-San Diego about $38,701. 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-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,525 there, against about $7,529 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 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-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego is the larger of the two, with about 34,948 undergraduates against 21,996 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
- Does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-San Diego have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-San Diego has the higher graduation rate, at about 87% against 86% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
- Do graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-San Diego 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 $84,943 for University of California-San Diego. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-San Diego 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-San Diego 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-San Diego look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1220–1410 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and 1270–1480 at University of California-San Diego. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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