University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, 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.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 20,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama at Birmingham is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham 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: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham ($17,453 vs. $17,997).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 24.6% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($14,170 vs. $18,792).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is 49.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $4,498 more per year; $13,596.00 vs. $9,098.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.6% higher at Cal Poly than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (about $12,103 more per year; $34,665.00 vs. $22,562.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (90% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 30% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($14,338 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal Poly Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 10 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at University of Alabama at Birmingham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; Cal Poly - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at University of Alabama at Birmingham (3.82).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 24.6% at Cal Poly.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $23,000 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $46,400), 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($18,666 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 52%)

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.