Cal Poly vs. La Verne

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than La Verne based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 5,021 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 La Verne is in La Verne, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of La Verne is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of La Verne 10:1.

Cal Poly vs. La Verne Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or La Verne? 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 La Verne ($17,453 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of La Verne are 15.8% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($15,830 vs. $18,792).
• University of La Verne is 263.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $35,874 more per year; $49,470.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.7% higher at La Verne than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $14,805 more per year; $49,470.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of La Verne than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of La Verne students is 183.8% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($40,688 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. La Verne Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 210 points higher than at La Verne (1110).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 21 at La Verne).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; University of La Verne 986/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; University of La Verne 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; La Verne - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.76 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at La Verne (3.24).
• La Verne has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 9.8% at La Verne.

Cal Poly vs. La Verne Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and La Verne? 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 University of La Verne's (58%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than La Verne graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $52,000), 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 La Verne graduates ($18,666 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Verne graduates ($193 vs. $258).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Verne students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 51%)

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.