Cal Poly vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 23,024 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 Nevada Reno is in Reno, NV (Midsize City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Reno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of Nevada Reno 17:1.

Cal Poly vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada Reno than Cal Poly ($17,226 vs. $17,453).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 22.9% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($14,496 vs. $18,792).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is 42% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Nevada-Reno (about $4,018 more per year; $13,596.00 vs. $9,578.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.1% higher at Cal Poly than at University of Nevada Reno (about $6,945 more per year; $34,665.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (93% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 94.4% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($14,338 vs. $7,375).

Cal Poly vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada-Reno and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 140 points higher than at University of Nevada-Reno (1180).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at University of Nevada-Reno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; University of Nevada Reno 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4).
• University of Nevada-Reno has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno.

Cal Poly vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada Reno's (51%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than University of Nevada-Reno graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $135 lower median loan debt than University of Nevada-Reno graduates ($18,666 vs. $18,801).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Nevada-Reno graduates ($193 vs. $194).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 64%)

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.