Cal Poly vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Chapman based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 9,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Chapman University 12:1.

Cal Poly vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Chapman? 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 Chapman ($17,453 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 5.2% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($17,814 vs. $18,792).
• Chapman University is 378% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $51,388 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.5% higher at Chapman than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $30,319 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (88% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 147.1% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($35,434 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Chapman? 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 Chapman and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chapman University (1350) is 30 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 29) as students at Chapman (29).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Chapman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

Cal Poly vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Chapman? 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 Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Chapman 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 $2,272 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($18,666 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($193 vs. $216).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 65%)

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.