Auburn vs. Cal Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Auburn University is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 23,069 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1.

Auburn vs. Cal Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or Cal Poly? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Auburn ($17,453 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Auburn University are 11.5% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($16,626 vs. $18,792).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $706 more per year; $13,596.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Auburn than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $257 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Auburn University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (80% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 31.9% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($14,338 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. Cal Poly Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or Cal Poly? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cal Poly and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 10 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Auburn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; Cal Poly - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Auburn (3.97).
• Auburn has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 24.6% at Cal Poly.

Auburn vs. Cal Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and Cal Poly? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Auburn University's (66%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Auburn graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $2,834 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($18,666 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Auburn students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.