Cal Poly vs. UOP

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than UOP based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 6,944 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 the Pacific is in Stockton, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Pacific is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of the Pacific 13:1.

Cal Poly vs. UOP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or UOP? 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 UOP ($17,453 vs. $31,670).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Pacific are 8.5% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($17,190 vs. $18,792).
• University of the Pacific is 319.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $43,484 more per year; $57,080.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.7% higher at UOP than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $22,415 more per year; $57,080.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Pacific than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (98% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Pacific students is 186.7% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($41,111 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. UOP Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of the Pacific (1330) is 10 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at UOP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; University of the Pacific 1183/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; University of the Pacific 23/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; UOP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; UOP Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UOP (3.58).
• UOP has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 13.8% at UOP.

Cal Poly vs. UOP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and UOP? 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 the Pacific's (69%).
• Graduates from University of the Pacific earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Cal Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,400 vs. $69,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $5,959 lower median loan debt than UOP graduates ($18,666 vs. $24,625).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UOP graduates ($193 vs. $254).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UOP students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 70%)

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.