California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of Southern California
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a public university in San Luis Obispo, CA. University of Southern California is a private university in Los Angeles, CA. University of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo about 31%, making University of Southern California 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 $32,740 at University of Southern California. About 92% of students graduate at University of Southern California, compared with 86% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Ten years after enrolling, University of Southern California alumni earn a median of about $92,498, against $90,768 for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quizNet 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 Southern California harder to get into?
- University of Southern California is harder to get into. It admits about 10% 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 Southern California?
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,665 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $32,740 at University of Southern California. 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 Southern California?
- Before aid, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo costs about $32,265 a year and University of Southern California about $90,300. 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 Southern California?
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,529 there, against about $13,516 at University of Southern California. 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 Southern California?
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is the larger of the two, with about 21,996 undergraduates against 20,443 at University of Southern California.
- Does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of Southern California have a better graduation rate?
- University of Southern California has the higher graduation rate, at about 92% against 86% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
- Do graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of Southern California earn more?
- University of Southern California alumni earn more on average: a median of about $92,498 ten years after enrolling, against about $90,768 for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of Southern California 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 Southern California is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of Southern California look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1220–1410 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and 1450–1550 at University of Southern California. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.