Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and LCAD

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Laguna College of Art and Design 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 LCAD is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Laguna Beach, 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 LCAD is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • LCAD has more expensive tuition & fees ($35,650) than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than LCAD.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 22,000 students while LCAD has 760 students.
  • LCAD has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 881 faculties while LCAD has 24 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Cal Poly LCAD
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.Laguna College of Art and Design
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationLaguna Beach, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationSchool of art, music, and design
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
2024 Tuition & Fees$35,650
50%% Receiving Financial Aid99%
$7,853Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,780
29.75 %Acceptance Rates77.61 %
27.83 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)64.90 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
85 %Graduation Rate63 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate-
94 %Retention Rate79 %
22,000Student Population760
881Number of Faculties24
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services