Cal Poly vs California Northstate University

Compare two rival schools - California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and California Northstate University with tuition and admission information where Cal Poly is a four-years, public located in San Luis Obispo, CA and California Northstate University is a four-years, private (for-profit) located in Elk Grove, CA.
The next list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare two colleges with comprehensive information on the full comparison page.
  • Cal Poly is a public and California Northstate University is a private (for-profit) school and both are four-years schools.
  • California Northstate University has more expensive tuition & fees ($59,254) than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than California Northstate University.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 22,000 students while California Northstate University has 962 students.
  • California Northstate University has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 20 to 1.
The following table compares the two rival schools - California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and California Northstate University.
Cal Polyvs.California Northstate University
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationElk Grove, California
Four-years, PublicSchool Typefour-years, Private (for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie Classification
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
2024 Tuition & Fees$59,254
50%% Receiving Financial Aid48%
$7,853Average Amount of Financial Aid$6,671
30.00 %Acceptance Rates84.85 %
28.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)8.33 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
85 %Graduation Rate76 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate-
94 %Retention Rate100 %
22,000Student Population962
881Number of Faculties-
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio7 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesWeekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Placement services