Cal Poly vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (35,724 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

Cal Poly vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Pitt? 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 Pitt ($17,453 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 27.5% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($13,620 vs. $18,792).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 61.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $8,330 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at Pitt than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $6,765 more per year; $41,430.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (53% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students is 15% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($16,494 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 50 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Pitt 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Pitt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 13% at Pitt.

Cal Poly vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Pitt? 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).

• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's six-year graduation rate (79%) 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 $11,400 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $8,243 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($18,666 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($193 vs. $278).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 75%)

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.