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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of California-Santa Barbara

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo, CA. University of California-Santa Barbara is a public university in Santa Barbara, CA. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants and University of California-Santa Barbara about 33%, making California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $16,109 a year at University of California-Santa Barbara after aid, and about $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students graduate at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, compared with 84% at University of California-Santa Barbara. Ten years after enrolling, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo alumni earn a median of about $90,768, against $74,915 for University of California-Santa Barbara.

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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
21,996
23,113
Acceptance rate
31%
33%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–4
3.45–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1220–1410
1230–1460
ACT (middle 50%)
26–32
28–34
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,665
$16,109
Full cost / yr
$32,265
$41,573
In-state tuition
$13,596
$16,414
Out-of-state tuition
$34,665
$50,614
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,529
$9,231
$30k - $48k
$7,253
$9,992
$48k - $75k
$9,896
$12,588
$75k - $110k
$15,786
$17,136
Over $110k
$27,772
$31,863
Outcomes
Graduation rate
86%
84%
Freshman retention
96%
93%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$72,358
$56,852
Median earnings (10 yr)
$90,768
$74,915
Median debt at graduation
$18,500
$13,993
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
28%
First-generation students
25%
42%
International students
1%
9%
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.

Frequently asked questions
Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Santa Barbara harder to get into?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is harder to get into. It admits about 31% of applicants, compared with 33% at University of California-Santa Barbara. 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-Santa Barbara?
University of California-Santa Barbara is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,109 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-Santa Barbara?
Before aid, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo costs about $32,265 a year and University of California-Santa Barbara about $41,573. 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-Santa Barbara?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,529 there, against about $9,231 at University of California-Santa Barbara. 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-Santa Barbara?
University of California-Santa Barbara is the larger of the two, with about 23,113 undergraduates against 21,996 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Santa Barbara have a better graduation rate?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 84% at University of California-Santa Barbara.
Do graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Santa Barbara 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 $74,915 for University of California-Santa Barbara. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Santa Barbara 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-Santa Barbara 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-Santa Barbara look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1220–1410 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and 1230–1460 at University of California-Santa Barbara. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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