Cal Poly vs. Loyola Marymount

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Loyola Marymount based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 10,179 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); Loyola Marymount University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Loyola Marymount University 10:1.

Cal Poly vs. Loyola Marymount Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount ($17,453 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 14.7% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($18,792 vs. $22,026).
• Loyola Marymount University is 358.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $48,761 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.9% higher at Loyola Marymount than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $27,692 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola Marymount University students is 69.6% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($24,318 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Loyola Marymount Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola Marymount University (1350) is 30 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Loyola Marymount 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; Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Loyola Marymount University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Loyola Marymount - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Loyola Marymount (3.92).
• Loyola Marymount has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 14.8% at Loyola Marymount.

Cal Poly vs. Loyola Marymount Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Loyola Marymount? 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).

• Loyola Marymount University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's (75%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Loyola Marymount graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $65,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $3,002 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($18,666 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($193 vs. $224).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola Marymount students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 79%)

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.