Cal Poly vs. Clemson

Comparable Facts

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

Clemson University is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (29,077 students vs. 23,069 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Clemson University 16:1.

Cal Poly vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Clemson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Clemson ($17,453 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 29.3% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($13,284 vs. $18,792).
• Clemson University is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $1,958 more per year; $15,554.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at Clemson than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $6,201 more per year; $40,866.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clemson University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (75% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 25.9% larger than aid received by Clemson University students ($14,338 vs. $11,389).

Cal Poly vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Clemson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Clemson and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clemson University (1330) is 10 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Clemson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Cal Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Clemson University 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Clemson - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Clemson May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Clemson (3.75).
• Clemson has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

Cal Poly vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Clemson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Clemson University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's (75%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Clemson graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $57,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $2,834 lower median loan debt than Clemson graduates ($18,666 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clemson graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clemson students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.