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.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Cal Poly UC Santa Cruz
Vote to see the other's choices.

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
30.00 %Acceptance Rates63.00 %
28.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)10.00 %
-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