Cal Poly vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

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

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (56,997 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 Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Seattle Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

Cal Poly vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or UW-Seattle? 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 Washington Seattle Campus than Cal Poly ($11,784 vs. $17,453).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Seattle Campus are 2.1% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($18,405 vs. $18,792).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $623 more per year; $13,596.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at UW-Seattle than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $8,544 more per year; $43,209.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (48% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students is 12.7% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($16,156 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or UW-Seattle? 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 UW-Seattle and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Seattle Campus (1330) is 10 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming UW-Seattle students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 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 Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; UW-Seattle - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UW-Seattle (3.82).
• UW-Seattle has a higher acceptance rate (39.1%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

Cal Poly vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and UW-Seattle? 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 Washington Seattle Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) 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 $3,600 more per year than UW-Seattle graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $3,666 lower median loan debt than Cal Poly graduates ($15,000 vs. $18,666).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle 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 UW-Seattle students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 76%)

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.