Cal Poly vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (41,137 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); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Cal Poly vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State University than Cal Poly ($14,704 vs. $17,453).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 18.4% lower than at San Diego State University ($18,792 vs. $23,030).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is 55.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $4,868 more per year; $13,596.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.5% higher at Cal Poly than at San Diego State University (about $13,337 more per year; $34,665.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than at San Diego State University (48% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 19% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($14,338 vs. $12,053).

Cal Poly vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 120 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Cal Poly vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and San Diego State? 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).

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $3,317 lower median loan debt than Cal Poly graduates ($15,349 vs. $18,666).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal Poly graduates ($158 vs. $193).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 65%)

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.