Cal Poly vs. San Jose Christian College

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than San Jose Christian College based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 1,865 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); William Jessup University is in Rocklin, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Jessup University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; William Jessup University 10:1.

Cal Poly vs. San Jose Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or San Jose Christian 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 San Jose Christian College ($17,453 vs. $29,679).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Jessup University are 27.6% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($13,606 vs. $18,792).
• William Jessup University is 173.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $23,554 more per year; $37,150.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at San Jose Christian College than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $2,485 more per year; $37,150.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Jessup University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (98% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Jessup University students is 67.8% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($24,059 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. San Jose Christian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or San Jose Christian 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 San Jose Christian College and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 190 points higher than at San Jose Christian College (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; William Jessup University 1041/1228.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; San Jose Christian College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at San Jose Christian College (3.33).
• San Jose Christian College has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 19.6% at San Jose Christian College.

Cal Poly vs. San Jose Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and San Jose Christian 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).

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than William Jessup University's (54%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $29,300 more per year than San Jose Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $2,834 lower median loan debt than San Jose Christian College graduates ($18,666 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose Christian College graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose Christian College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 61%)

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.