Azusa Pacific University vs. Cal Poly

Should I go to Azusa Pacific University or California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Azusa Pacific University or Cal Poly is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Azusa Pacific University vs. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo comparison
Azusa Pacific University California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo College 3 College 4
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
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Overview

Azusa Pacific University Cal Poly
Location Azusa, CA San Luis Obispo, CA
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 7,169 22,000
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #268 #155
Religious Affiliation Undenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apu.edu calpoly.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Azusa Pacific University Cal Poly
Tuition (In State) $41,650 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $41,650 $17,622
Room & Board $9,222 $16,449
Avg Net Price $26,666 $19,184
Avg Grant Aid $27,474 $10,065
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 42%

Admission

Azusa Pacific University Cal Poly
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,438 58,774
Admitted 2,991 17,885
Acceptance Rate 87% 30.4%
Enrolled % 17.3% 28.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 4.0
Typical High School Grades A- A/A+
Admissions Standards Average Very High
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 21/28 26/32
SAT Range 980/1240 1220/1410
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025 Nov 30, 2024

Academics

Azusa Pacific University Cal Poly
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Engineering (24%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Agriculture (15%)
  • Architecture (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

Azusa Pacific University Cal Poly
Graduation Rate 63% 75%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,200 $69,400
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $18,666
Median Loan Payment $232 $193

Diversity

Azusa Pacific University Cal Poly
% Men 28% 51%
% Women 72% 49%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 44% 57%
% Black 5% 1%
% Hispanic 29% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 7%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

Azusa Pacific University Cal Poly
% In-State 77% 83%
% Out-of-State 15% 16%

Campus

Azusa Pacific University Cal Poly
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than than Azusa Pacific University based on total student enrollment (22,000 students vs. 7,169 students)

Azusa Pacific University vs. Cal Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Azusa Pacific University or Cal Poly?

  • Azusa Pacific University is 625.4% more expensive to attend than Cal Poly for in-state tuition ($41,650.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 136.4% higher at Azusa Pacific University than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($41,650.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Azusa Pacific University ($19,184 vs. $26,666)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Azusa Pacific University are 78.4% lower than costs at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($9,222 vs. $16,449)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Azusa Pacific University than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (99% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Azusa Pacific University students is 173% larger than aid received California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($27,474 vs. $10,065)

Azusa Pacific University vs. Cal Poly Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Azusa Pacific University or Cal Poly? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Cal Poly or Azusa Pacific University .

  • The average SAT score at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1259) is 179 points higher than at Azusa Pacific University (1080)
  • Incoming Cal Poly students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Azusa Pacific University (24)
  • Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Azusa Pacific University (3.74)
  • Azusa Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Cal Poly (30.4%)

Azusa Pacific University vs. Cal Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Azusa Pacific University or Cal Poly? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Cal Poly and Azusa Pacific University.

  • The graduation rate at Cal Poly is higher than Azusa Pacific University (75% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn on average $15,200 more per year than Azusa Pacific University graduates after ten years. ($69,400 vs. $54,200)
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students graduate with a $3,834 lower median federal student loan debt than Azusa Pacific University graduates. ($18,666 vs. $22,500)
  • Cal Poly graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than Azusa Pacific University graduates. ($193 vs. $232)
  • More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Azusa Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/