Cal Poly vs San Diego State

Compare two rival schools - California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and San Diego State University with tuition and admission information where Cal Poly is a four-years, public located in San Luis Obispo, CA and San Diego State is a four-years, public located in San Diego, CA.
The next list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare two colleges with comprehensive information on the full comparison page.
  • Both schools are four-years, public schools.
  • Cal Poly has more expensive tuition & fees ($30,995) than San Diego State ($20,170).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than San Diego State.
  • San Diego State has more students with 37,402 students while Cal Poly has 22,000 students.
  • Cal Poly has a lower number of students per faculty with 20 to 1 while San Diego State's ratio is 25 to 1.
  • San Diego State has more full-time faculties with 954 faculties while Cal Poly has 881 full-time faculties.
The following table compares the two rival schools - California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and San Diego State University.
Cal Polyvs.San Diego State
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationSan Diego, California
Four-years, PublicSchool Typefour-years, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$8,290
Out-Of-State$20,170
50%% Receiving Financial Aid61%
$7,853Average Amount of Financial Aid$8,114
30.00 %Acceptance Rates34.00 %
28.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)22.00 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
85 %Graduation Rate78 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate1 %
94 %Retention Rate89 %
22,000Student Population37,402
881Number of Faculties954
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio25 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare