Academic Comparison between CalArts and Cal Poly

California Institute of the Arts and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. CalArts is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Valencia, CA and Cal Poly is a four-year, public school located in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • CalArts is a private (not-for-profit) and Cal Poly is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • CalArts has more expensive tuition & fees ($56,724) than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • It is harder to admit to CalArts than Cal Poly.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 22,000 students while CalArts has 1,440 students.
  • CalArts has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 881 faculties while CalArts has 154 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Institute of the Artsvs.California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Valencia, CaliforniaLocationSan Luis Obispo, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (medium programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$56,7242024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
55%% Receiving Financial Aid50%
$20,801Average Amount of Financial Aid$7,853
26.00 %Acceptance Rates30.00 %
34.03 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)28.00 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
63 %Graduation Rate85 %
18 %Transfer-out Rate1 %
85 %Retention Rate94 %
1,440Student Population22,000
154Number of Faculties881
7 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare