Cal Poly vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (37,661 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 Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

Cal Poly vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or San Jose 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 Jose State University than Cal Poly ($13,892 vs. $17,453).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 10.4% lower than at San Jose State University ($18,792 vs. $20,971).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is 61.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $5,186 more per year; $13,596.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65% higher at Cal Poly than at San Jose State University (about $13,655 more per year; $34,665.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (63% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 16.1% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($14,338 vs. $12,353).

Cal Poly vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 190 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

Cal Poly vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than San Jose State graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $59,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $3,666 lower median loan debt than Cal Poly graduates ($15,000 vs. $18,666).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal Poly graduates ($155 vs. $193).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose State students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 73%)

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.