Cal Poly vs. Fresno Pacific University

Should I go to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo or Fresno Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cal Poly or Fresno Pacific University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo vs. Fresno Pacific University comparison
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Fresno Pacific University College 3 College 4
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Fresno Pacific University
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Overview

Cal Poly Fresno Pacific University
Location San Luis Obispo, CA Fresno, CA
Setting Small Suburban Large City
Enrollment 22,000 3,032
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #155 #589
Religious Affiliation - Mennonite Brethren Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calpoly.edu fresno.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cal Poly Fresno Pacific University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $33,614
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $33,614
Room & Board $16,449 $9,238
Avg Net Price $19,184 $15,255
Avg Grant Aid $10,065 $26,985
% Receiving Grant Aid 42% 100%

Admission

Cal Poly Fresno Pacific University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 58,774 832
Admitted 17,885 624
Acceptance Rate 30.4% 75%
Enrolled % 28.6% 24.8%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.54
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Moderate
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 26/32 17/24
SAT Range 1220/1410 970/1240
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2024 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Cal Poly Fresno Pacific University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (24%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Agriculture (15%)
  • Architecture (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (28%)
  • Work and Family Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

Cal Poly Fresno Pacific University
Graduation Rate 75% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $69,400 $43,600
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,666 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $193 $222

Diversity

Cal Poly Fresno Pacific University
% Men 51% 26%
% Women 49% 74%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 57% 35%
% Black 1% 5%
% Hispanic 16% 43%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 7%

Students

Cal Poly Fresno Pacific University
% In-State 83% 88%
% Out-of-State 16% 3%

Campus

Cal Poly Fresno Pacific University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than than Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (22,000 students vs. 3,032 students)

Cal Poly vs. Fresno Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Fresno Pacific University?

  • Fresno Pacific University is 485.4% more expensive to attend than Cal Poly for in-state tuition ($33,614.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 90.8% higher at Fresno Pacific University than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($33,614.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fresno Pacific University than Cal Poly ($15,255 vs. $19,184)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 78.1% lower than costs at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($9,238 vs. $16,449)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 168.1% larger than aid received California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($26,985 vs. $10,065)

Cal Poly vs. Fresno Pacific University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Fresno Pacific University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Fresno Pacific University or Cal Poly .

  • The average SAT score at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1259) is 271 points higher than at Fresno Pacific University (988)
  • Incoming Cal Poly students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Fresno Pacific University (22)
  • 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 (75%) than Cal Poly (30.4%)

Cal Poly vs. Fresno Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cal Poly or Fresno Pacific University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Fresno Pacific University and Cal Poly.

  • The graduation rate at Cal Poly is higher than Fresno Pacific University (75% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn on average $25,800 more per year than Fresno Pacific University graduates after ten years. ($69,400 vs. $43,600)
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students graduate with a $2,834 lower median federal student loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates. ($18,666 vs. $21,500)
  • Cal Poly graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans 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/