Cal Poly vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 4,757 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); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

Cal Poly vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or PLNU? 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 PLNU ($17,453 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 27.4% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($13,650 vs. $18,792).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 240.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $32,654 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.4% higher at PLNU than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $11,585 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (94% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 44.4% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($20,702 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 50 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at PLNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

Cal Poly vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and PLNU? 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 Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $6,334 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($18,666 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($193 vs. $258).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU 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.