Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and CalArts

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

  • Cal Poly is a public and CalArts is a private (not-for-profit) 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 Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.California Institute of the Arts
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationValencia, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
2024 Tuition & Fees$56,724
50%% Receiving Financial Aid55%
$7,853Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,801
30.00 %Acceptance Rates26.00 %
28.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)34.03 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
85 %Graduation Rate63 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate18 %
94 %Retention Rate85 %
22,000Student Population1,440
881Number of Faculties154
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio7 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesStudy Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services