Alabama vs. Cal Poly

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Alabama is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 23,069 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1.

Alabama vs. Cal Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or Cal Poly? 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 Alabama ($17,453 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Alabama are 20.1% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($15,016 vs. $18,792).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is 11.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $1,416 more per year; $13,596.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Cal Poly than at The University of Alabama (about $493 more per year; $34,665.00 vs. $34,172.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Alabama than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (80% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 22.1% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($17,503 vs. $14,338).

Alabama vs. Cal Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 30 points higher than at Alabama (1290).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; Cal Poly - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Alabama (3.76).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 24.6% at Cal Poly.

Alabama vs. Cal Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and Cal Poly? 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 The University of Alabama's (66%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $5,084 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($18,666 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($193 vs. $245).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 59%)

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.