Cal Poly vs. Pepperdine

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Pepperdine based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 8,976 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); Pepperdine University is in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Pepperdine University 12:1.

Cal Poly vs. Pepperdine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Pepperdine? 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 Pepperdine ($17,453 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 13.6% lower than at Pepperdine University ($18,792 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 414.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $56,322 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.7% higher at Pepperdine than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $35,253 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (91% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 87.8% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($26,927 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Pepperdine Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 50 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Pepperdine 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; Pepperdine University 1290/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Pepperdine University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Pepperdine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Pepperdine has a higher acceptance rate (62.9%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 11.6% at Pepperdine.

Cal Poly vs. Pepperdine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Pepperdine? 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).

• Pepperdine University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's (75%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Cal Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $69,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $7,334 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($18,666 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($193 vs. $268).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 75%)

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.