Cal Poly vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 1,310 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); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Cal Poly vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College ($17,453 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 9.7% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($16,960 vs. $18,792).
• Westmont College is 294.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $39,988 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.6% higher at Westmont College than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $18,919 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 171.7% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($38,956 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 30 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Cal Poly vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Westmont College? 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).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) 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 $14,800 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $6,457 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($18,666 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($193 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal Poly students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 85%)

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.