California Baptist University vs. Cal Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA 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.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than California Baptist University based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 11,902 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

California Baptist University vs. Cal Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist University 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 California Baptist University ($17,453 vs. $27,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 35.4% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($12,140 vs. $18,792).
• California Baptist University is 203.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $27,632 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.9% higher at California Baptist University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $6,563 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (99% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 86.5% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($26,743 vs. $14,338).

California Baptist University vs. Cal Poly Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Baptist University or Cal Poly? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cal Poly and California Baptist University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 260 points higher than at California Baptist University (1060).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 21 at California Baptist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 960/1150; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 18/25; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; Cal Poly - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at California Baptist University (3.58).
• California Baptist University has a higher acceptance rate (84.9%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 24.6% at Cal Poly.

California Baptist University vs. Cal Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University and Cal Poly? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than California Baptist University's (55%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $24,300 more per year than California Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $8,334 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($18,666 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($193 vs. $279).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 58%)

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.