Cal Poly vs. DUofC

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than DUofC based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 1,900 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); Dominican University of California is in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Dominican University of California 8:1.

Cal Poly vs. DUofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or DUofC? 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 DUofC ($17,453 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University of California are 13.8% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($16,191 vs. $18,792).
• Dominican University of California is 283.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $38,565 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.5% higher at DUofC than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $17,496 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 138.7% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($34,224 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. DUofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 60 points higher than at DUofC (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Dominican University of California 1210/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; DUofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at DUofC (3.66).
• DUofC has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 12.7% at DUofC.

Cal Poly vs. DUofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and DUofC? 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 Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than DUofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $58,400), 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 DUofC graduates ($18,666 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($193 vs. $279).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DUofC students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 71%)

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.