Cal Poly vs. Northeastern University Oakland

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Northeastern University Oakland

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern University Oakland (16.7% admitted vs 31.3%). Typical SAT 1470 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal Poly. Average net price is $17,453 vs $27,473 at Northeastern University Oakland.
  • Graduation: Cal Poly 75% vs Northeastern University Oakland 57%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cal Poly $69,400 vs Northeastern University Oakland $44,400 (median).
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Key differences

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Northeastern University Oakland
Acceptance rate
Northeastern University Oakland more selective
Cal Poly31.3%
Northeastern University Oakland16.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northeastern University Oakland higher
Cal Poly1220-1410
Northeastern University Oakland1420-1520
Average net price
Cal Poly $10,020 less
Cal Poly$17,453
Northeastern University Oakland$27,473
In-state tuition
Cal Poly $54,182 less
Cal Poly$13,596
Northeastern University Oakland$67,778
Out-of-state tuition
Cal Poly $33,113 less
Cal Poly$34,665
Northeastern University Oakland$67,778
Graduation rate
Cal Poly +18 pts
Cal Poly75%
Northeastern University Oakland57%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cal Poly +$25,000
Cal Poly$69,400
Northeastern University Oakland$44,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cal Poly 68,371
  • Northeastern University Oakland 18,030
  • Admitted
  • Cal Poly 21,416
  • Northeastern University Oakland 3,002
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cal Poly 31.3%
  • Northeastern University Oakland 16.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cal Poly 24.6%
  • Northeastern University Oakland 14.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cal Poly 1320
  • Northeastern University Oakland 1470
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cal Poly 29
  • Northeastern University Oakland 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cal Poly 4.0
  • Northeastern University Oakland 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cal Poly A/A+
  • Northeastern University Oakland A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Cal Poly Very High
  • Northeastern University Oakland Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Cal Poly High
  • Northeastern University Oakland Very High
  • SAT range
  • Cal Poly 1220-1410
  • Northeastern University Oakland 1420-1520
  • ACT range
  • Cal Poly 26-32
  • Northeastern University Oakland 32-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Cal Poly Test-free
  • Northeastern University Oakland Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026
  • Northeastern University Oakland
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cal Poly $13,596
  • Northeastern University Oakland $67,778
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cal Poly $34,665
  • Northeastern University Oakland $67,778
  • Room & board
  • Cal Poly $18,792
  • Northeastern University Oakland $19,580
  • Average net price
  • Cal Poly $17,453
  • Northeastern University Oakland $27,473
  • Average grant aid
  • Cal Poly $14,338
  • Northeastern University Oakland $57,948
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cal Poly 48%
  • Northeastern University Oakland 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cal Poly 75%
  • Northeastern University Oakland 57%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cal Poly $69,400
  • Northeastern University Oakland $44,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cal Poly 85%
  • Northeastern University Oakland 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cal Poly $18,666
  • Northeastern University Oakland $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Cal Poly $193
  • Northeastern University Oakland $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cal Poly 19:1
  • Northeastern University Oakland 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cal Poly
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Agriculture (15%)
    • Architecture (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Northeastern University Oakland
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • English and Literature (16%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Location
  • Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA
  • Northeastern University Oakland Oakland, CA
  • Setting
  • Cal Poly Small Suburban
  • Northeastern University Oakland Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Cal Poly 23,069
  • Northeastern University Oakland 640
  • Type
  • Cal Poly Public 4 Year
  • Northeastern University Oakland Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cal Poly #151
  • Northeastern University Oakland

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 640 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); Northeastern University Oakland is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University Oakland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Northeastern University Oakland 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 4% lower than at Northeastern University Oakland ($18,792 vs. $19,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 95.5% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $33,113 more per year; $67,778 vs. $34,665).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (67% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students is 304.2% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($57,948 vs. $14,338).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at Cal Poly (32 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Cal Poly, test optional at Northeastern University Oakland.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cal Poly average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $4,834 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($18,666 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($193 vs. $242).
  • More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern University Oakland students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 66%).

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

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