Cal Poly vs. Oxy

Comparable Facts

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 1,881 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); Occidental College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Occidental College 9:1.

Cal Poly vs. Oxy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Oxy? 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 Oxy ($17,453 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 2.4% lower than at Occidental College ($18,792 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 387.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $52,678 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.2% higher at Oxy than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $31,609 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (75% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 153.9% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($36,400 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Oxy Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Oxy? 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 Oxy and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 130 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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; Occidental College 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Occidental College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Oxy - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 17.8% at Oxy.

Cal Poly vs. Oxy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Oxy? 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).

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) 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 $12,800 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $4,986 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($18,666 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($193 vs. $244).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal Poly students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 85%)

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.