California Baptist University vs. Cal Poly

California Baptist University and California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Baptist University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cal Poly (31.3% admitted vs 84.9%). Typical SAT 1320 vs 1060.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal Poly. Average net price is $17,453 vs $27,862 at California Baptist University.
  • Graduation: California Baptist University 55% vs Cal Poly 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: California Baptist University $45,100 vs Cal Poly $69,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

California Baptist University California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Acceptance rate
Cal Poly more selective
California Baptist University84.9%
Cal Poly31.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cal Poly higher
California Baptist University960-1150
Cal Poly1220-1410
Average net price
Cal Poly $10,409 less
California Baptist University$27,862
Cal Poly$17,453
In-state tuition
Cal Poly $27,632 less
California Baptist University$41,228
Cal Poly$13,596
Out-of-state tuition
Cal Poly $6,563 less
California Baptist University$41,228
Cal Poly$34,665
Graduation rate
Cal Poly +20 pts
California Baptist University55%
Cal Poly75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cal Poly +$24,300
California Baptist University$45,100
Cal Poly$69,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at California Baptist University and Cal Poly with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at California Baptist University Check my chances at Cal Poly
  • Applied
  • California Baptist University 7,990
  • Cal Poly 68,371
  • Admitted
  • California Baptist University 6,782
  • Cal Poly 21,416
  • Acceptance rate
  • California Baptist University 84.9%
  • Cal Poly 31.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • California Baptist University 23.8%
  • Cal Poly 24.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • California Baptist University 1060
  • Cal Poly 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • California Baptist University 21
  • Cal Poly 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • California Baptist University 3.58
  • Cal Poly 4.0
  • Typical high school grades
  • California Baptist University A-
  • Cal Poly A/A+
  • Admissions standards
  • California Baptist University Very Easy
  • Cal Poly Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • California Baptist University
  • Cal Poly High
  • SAT range
  • California Baptist University 960-1150
  • Cal Poly 1220-1410
  • ACT range
  • California Baptist University 18-25
  • Cal Poly 26-32
  • Submit test scores
  • California Baptist University Test-free
  • Cal Poly Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • California Baptist University
  • Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • California Baptist University $41,228
  • Cal Poly $13,596
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • California Baptist University $41,228
  • Cal Poly $34,665
  • Room & board
  • California Baptist University $12,140
  • Cal Poly $18,792
  • Average net price
  • California Baptist University $27,862
  • Cal Poly $17,453
  • Average grant aid
  • California Baptist University $26,743
  • Cal Poly $14,338
  • % receiving grant aid
  • California Baptist University 99%
  • Cal Poly 48%
  • Graduation rate
  • California Baptist University 55%
  • Cal Poly 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • California Baptist University $45,100
  • Cal Poly $69,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • California Baptist University 58%
  • Cal Poly 85%
  • Median student loan debt
  • California Baptist University $27,000
  • Cal Poly $18,666
  • Median loan payment
  • California Baptist University $279
  • Cal Poly $193
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • California Baptist University 21:1
  • Cal Poly 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • California Baptist University
    • Business (13%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Cal Poly
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Agriculture (15%)
    • Architecture (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Location
  • California Baptist University Riverside, CA
  • Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA
  • Setting
  • California Baptist University Large City
  • Cal Poly Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • California Baptist University 11,902
  • Cal Poly 23,069
  • Type
  • California Baptist University Private 4 Year
  • Cal Poly Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • California Baptist University #796
  • Cal Poly #151

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA with California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than California Baptist University based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 11,902 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting).
  • California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 35.4% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($12,140 vs. $18,792).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.9% higher at California Baptist University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $6,563 more per year; $41,228 vs. $34,665).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (99% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 86.5% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($26,743 vs. $14,338).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 8 points higher at Cal Poly than at California Baptist University (29 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California Baptist University and Cal Poly.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cal Poly average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.42 higher than at California Baptist University (3.58).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 24.6% at Cal Poly.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $8,334 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($18,666 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($193 vs. $279).
  • More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

California Baptist University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges