Cal Poly vs. CU Boulder

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (38,799 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); University of Colorado Boulder is in Boulder, CO (Small City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of Colorado Boulder 19:1.

Cal Poly vs. CU Boulder Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or CU Boulder? 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 CU Boulder ($17,453 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Boulder are 1.7% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($18,468 vs. $18,792).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $2,070 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.6% higher at CU Boulder than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $10,253 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Boulder than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (53% 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 University of Colorado Boulder students ($14,338 vs. $11,225).

Cal Poly vs. CU Boulder Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 20 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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; University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; CU Boulder - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at CU Boulder (3.68).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 14.1% at CU Boulder.

Cal Poly vs. CU Boulder Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and CU Boulder? 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 University of Colorado Boulder's (68%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than CU Boulder graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $834 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($18,666 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($193 vs. $201).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 73%)

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.