Cal Poly vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 418 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); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

Cal Poly vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($17,453 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 27.6% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($13,600 vs. $18,792).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 313.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $42,566 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62% higher at SCI-Arc than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $21,497 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (48% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 197.3% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($42,627 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 190 points higher than at SCI-Arc (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

Cal Poly vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Southern California Institute of Architecture's (58%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $23,000 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $24,084 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($18,666 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $249 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($193 vs. $442).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 62%)

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.