Cal Poly vs. Northeastern University Oakland

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 640 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); Northeastern University Oakland is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University Oakland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Northeastern University Oakland 7:1.

Cal Poly vs. Northeastern University Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland ($17,453 vs. $27,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 4% lower than at Northeastern University Oakland ($18,792 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University Oakland is 398.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $54,182 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.5% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $33,113 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (67% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students is 304.2% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($57,948 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Northeastern University Oakland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University Oakland (1470) is 150 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Northeastern University Oakland students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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; Northeastern University Oakland 1420/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Northeastern University Oakland 32/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Northeastern University Oakland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
• Cal Poly has a higher acceptance rate (31.3%) than Northeastern University Oakland (16.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland.

Cal Poly vs. Northeastern University Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland's (57%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $25,000 more per year than Northeastern University Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $4,834 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($18,666 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($193 vs. $242).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern University Oakland students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 66%)

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.