Cal Poly vs. Scripps College

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Scripps College based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 1,137 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); Scripps College is in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Scripps College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Scripps College 10:1.

Cal Poly vs. Scripps College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Scripps College? 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 Scripps College ($17,453 vs. $44,396).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 15.1% lower than at Scripps College ($18,792 vs. $22,136).
• Scripps College is 385.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $52,354 more per year; $65,950.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.2% higher at Scripps College than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $31,285 more per year; $65,950.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Scripps College than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (56% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Scripps College students is 201.1% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($43,168 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Scripps College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Scripps College (1490) is 170 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Scripps College 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; Scripps College 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Scripps College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Scripps College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Scripps College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have the same average high school GPA (4.0) as students at Scripps College (4.0).
• Scripps College has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 25.6% at Scripps College.

Cal Poly vs. Scripps College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Scripps College? 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).

• Scripps College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's (75%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Scripps College graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Scripps College graduates have a $4,666 lower median loan debt than Cal Poly graduates ($14,000 vs. $18,666).
• Among borrowers, Scripps College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal Poly graduates ($144 vs. $193).
• More Scripps College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal Poly students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 85%)

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.