UCSB vs Cal Poly

Compare two rival schools - University of California-Santa Barbara and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with tuition and admission information where UCSB is a four-years, public located in Santa Barbara, CA and Cal Poly is a four-years, public located in San Luis Obispo, 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.
  • UCSB has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,742) than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSB than Cal Poly.
  • UCSB has more students with 26,420 students while Cal Poly has 22,000 students.
  • UCSB has a lower number of students per faculty with 17 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • UCSB has more full-time faculties with 1,097 faculties while Cal Poly has 881 full-time faculties.
The following table compares the two rival schools - University of California-Santa Barbara and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
UCSBvs.Cal Poly
Santa Barbara, CaliforniaLocationSan Luis Obispo, California
Four-years, PublicSchool Typefour-years, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$14,965
Out-Of-State$45,742
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
61%% Receiving Financial Aid50%
$19,654Average Amount of Financial Aid$7,853
28.00 %Acceptance Rates30.00 %
16.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)28.00 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
85 %Graduation Rate85 %
-Transfer-out Rate1 %
92 %Retention Rate94 %
26,420Student Population22,000
1,097Number of Faculties881
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, 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