Cal Poly vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

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

University of Utah is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (36,894 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 Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of Utah 19:1.

Cal Poly vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Utah? 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 Utah than Cal Poly ($16,583 vs. $17,453).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 29.1% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($13,315 vs. $18,792).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is 41.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $3,976 more per year; $13,596.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.3% higher at Cal Poly than at University of Utah (about $3,805 more per year; $34,665.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Utah than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (73% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 12.5% larger than aid received by University of Utah students ($14,338 vs. $12,744).

Cal Poly vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 30 points higher than at Utah (1290).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Utah).
• 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 Utah 1190/1380.
• 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 Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 26% at Utah.

Cal Poly vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Utah? 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 Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Utah graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $61,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $3,666 lower median loan debt than Cal Poly graduates ($15,000 vs. $18,666).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal Poly graduates ($155 vs. $193).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Utah students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 72%)

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.