Cal Poly vs. Florida State

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 23,069 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); Florida State University is in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Florida State University 17:1.

Cal Poly vs. Florida State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Florida State? 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 Florida State University than Cal Poly ($15,815 vs. $17,453).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 28.3% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($13,474 vs. $18,792).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is 140.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $7,940 more per year; $13,596.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.5% higher at Cal Poly than at Florida State University (about $15,879 more per year; $34,665.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida State University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (91% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 54.5% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($14,338 vs. $9,279).

Cal Poly vs. Florida State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 20 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Cal Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Florida State University 1270/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Florida State University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Florida State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• Cal Poly has a higher acceptance rate (31.3%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 30.9% at Florida State.

Cal Poly vs. Florida State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Florida State? 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 Florida State University's (74%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $2,084 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($18,666 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($193 vs. $214).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 63%)

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.