Cal Poly vs. Michigan Tech

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Michigan Tech based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 7,403 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); Michigan Technological University is in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Michigan Technological University 13:1.

Cal Poly vs. Michigan Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University than Cal Poly ($16,879 vs. $17,453).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan Technological University are 30.6% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($13,050 vs. $18,792).
• Michigan Technological University is 40.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $5,527 more per year; $19,123.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Michigan Tech than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $8,323 more per year; $42,988.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan Technological University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (99% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan Technological University students is 38.8% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($19,898 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Michigan Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Tech and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 80 points higher than at Michigan Tech (1240).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Michigan Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Michigan Technological University 1130/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Michigan Technological University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Michigan Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Michigan Tech (3.78).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 12.9% at Michigan Tech.

Cal Poly vs. Michigan Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University's (65%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Michigan Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $66,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $8,234 lower median loan debt than Michigan Tech graduates ($18,666 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan Tech graduates ($193 vs. $278).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan Tech 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.