Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and UC Santa Cruz

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Santa Cruz are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Both Schools are four-year, public and located in California

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.

  • Both schools are four-year, public schools.
  • UC Santa Cruz has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,337) than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than UC Santa Cruz.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 22,000 students while UC Santa Cruz has 19,478 students.
  • Cal Poly has a lower number of students per faculty with 20 to 1 while UC Santa Cruz's ratio is 23 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 881 faculties while UC Santa Cruz has 688 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.University of California-Santa Cruz
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationSanta Cruz, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,560
Out-Of-State$45,337
50%% Receiving Financial Aid65%
$7,853Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,896
29.75 %Acceptance Rates62.54 %
27.83 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)10.18 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
85 %Graduation Rate76 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate5 %
94 %Retention Rate88 %
22,000Student Population19,478
881Number of Faculties688
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio23 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), 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