Cal Poly vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

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

Oregon State University is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (37,163 students vs. 23,069 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); Oregon State University is in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Oregon State University 18:1.

Cal Poly vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or OSU? 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 OSU ($17,453 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oregon State University are 12.8% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($16,386 vs. $18,792).
• Oregon State University is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $804 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at OSU than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $3,525 more per year; $38,190.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (90% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 27.7% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($14,338 vs. $11,230).

Cal Poly vs. OSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 50 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at OSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; OSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at OSU (3.61).
• OSU has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 20.4% at OSU.

Cal Poly vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and OSU? 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 Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $53,900), 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 OSU graduates ($18,666 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($193 vs. $242).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU 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.