Cal Poly vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 286 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); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

Cal Poly vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or John Paul the Great Catholic 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 California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than John Paul the Great Catholic University ($17,453 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 47.5% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($9,868 vs. $18,792).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 122.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $16,669 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at Cal Poly than at John Paul the Great Catholic University (about $4,400 more per year; $34,665.00 vs. $30,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students is 18.4% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($16,982 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or John Paul the Great Catholic 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and Cal Poly.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 200 points higher than at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at John Paul the Great Catholic University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at John Paul the Great Catholic University (3.56).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

Cal Poly vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and John Paul the Great Catholic 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $7,084 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($18,666 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($193 vs. $266).

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.