Cal Poly vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 8,913 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 San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

Cal Poly vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or USF? 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 USF ($17,453 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 4.9% lower than at University of San Francisco ($18,792 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 344.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $46,896 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.5% higher at USF than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $25,827 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (95% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 142.2% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($34,723 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 30 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 6% at USF.

Cal Poly vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and USF? 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 San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Cal Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $69,400), 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 USF graduates ($18,666 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($193 vs. $258).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF 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.