Cal Poly vs. Fresno Pacific University

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 2,879 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); Fresno Pacific University is in Fresno, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fresno Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Fresno Pacific University 10:1.

Cal Poly vs. Fresno Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University than Cal Poly ($15,261 vs. $17,453).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 45.7% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($10,210 vs. $18,792).
• Fresno Pacific University is 169.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $23,064 more per year; $36,660.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Fresno Pacific University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $1,995 more per year; $36,660.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 106.6% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($29,616 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Fresno Pacific University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 210 points higher than at Fresno Pacific University (1110).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 20 at Fresno Pacific University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Fresno Pacific University 970/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Fresno Pacific University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Fresno Pacific University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Fresno Pacific University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Fresno Pacific University (3.54).
• Fresno Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (64.1%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 17.3% at Fresno Pacific University.

Cal Poly vs. Fresno Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University's (50%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $25,800 more per year than Fresno Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $2,834 lower median loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($18,666 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 53%)

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.