Biola University vs. Cal Poly

Should I go to Biola University or California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Biola University or Cal Poly is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Biola University vs. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo comparison
Biola University California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo College 3 College 4
Biola University California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
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Overview

Biola University Cal Poly
Location La Mirada, CA San Luis Obispo, CA
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 5,387 22,000
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #245 #155
Religious Affiliation Undenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website biola.edu calpoly.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Biola University Cal Poly
Tuition (In State) $44,382 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $44,382 $17,622
Room & Board $10,522 $16,449
Avg Net Price $31,522 $19,184
Avg Grant Aid $26,521 $10,065
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 42%

Admission

Biola University Cal Poly
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,224 58,774
Admitted 2,392 17,885
Acceptance Rate 56.6% 30.4%
Enrolled % 29.5% 28.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 4.0
Typical High School Grades B+ A/A+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low High
ACT Range 23/30 26/32
SAT Range 1105/1365 1220/1410
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2023

Academics

Biola University Cal Poly
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Engineering (24%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Agriculture (15%)
  • Architecture (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

Biola University Cal Poly
Graduation Rate 71% 75%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $69,400
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $18,666
Median Loan Payment $253 $193

Diversity

Biola University Cal Poly
% Men 45% 51%
% Women 55% 49%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 57%
% Black 2% 1%
% Hispanic 19% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

Biola University Cal Poly
% In-State 65% 83%
% Out-of-State 28% 16%

Campus

Biola University Cal Poly
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than than Biola University based on total student enrollment (22,000 students vs. 5,387 students)

Biola University vs. Cal Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola University or Cal Poly?

  • Biola University is 672.9% more expensive to attend than Cal Poly for in-state tuition ($44,382.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 151.9% higher at Biola University than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($44,382.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Biola University ($19,184 vs. $31,522)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 56.3% lower than costs at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($10,522 vs. $16,449)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Biola University than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Biola University students is 163.5% larger than aid received California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($26,521 vs. $10,065)

Biola University vs. Cal Poly Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Biola University or Cal Poly? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Cal Poly or Biola University .

  • The average SAT score at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1259) is 144 points higher than at Biola University (1115)
  • Incoming Cal Poly students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Biola University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Biola University (3.61)
  • Biola University has a higher acceptance rate (56.6%) than Cal Poly (30.4%)

Biola University vs. Cal Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Biola University or Cal Poly? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Cal Poly and Biola University.

  • The graduation rate at Cal Poly is higher than Biola University (75% vs. 71%)
  • Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn on average $20,500 more per year than Biola University graduates after ten years. ($69,400 vs. $48,900)
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students graduate with a $5,834 lower median federal student loan debt than Biola University graduates. ($18,666 vs. $24,500)
  • Cal Poly graduates are paying $60 less per month on federal student loans than Biola University graduates. ($193 vs. $253)
  • More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Biola University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/