Cal Poly vs. UConn

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University of Connecticut

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cal Poly (31.3% admitted vs 52.4%). Typical SAT 1320 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal Poly. Average net price is $17,453 vs $25,310 at UConn.
  • Graduation: Cal Poly 75% vs UConn 83%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cal Poly $69,400 vs UConn $62,000 (median).
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Key differences

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo University of Connecticut
Acceptance rate
Cal Poly more selective
Cal Poly31.3%
UConn52.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UConn higher
Cal Poly1220-1410
UConn1210-1440
Average net price
Cal Poly $7,857 less
Cal Poly$17,453
UConn$25,310
In-state tuition
Cal Poly $7,448 less
Cal Poly$13,596
UConn$21,044
Out-of-state tuition
Cal Poly $9,047 less
Cal Poly$34,665
UConn$43,712
Graduation rate
UConn +8 pts
Cal Poly75%
UConn83%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cal Poly +$7,400
Cal Poly$69,400
UConn$62,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cal Poly 68,371
  • UConn 55,479
  • Admitted
  • Cal Poly 21,416
  • UConn 29,065
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cal Poly 31.3%
  • UConn 52.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cal Poly 24.6%
  • UConn 15.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cal Poly 1320
  • UConn 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cal Poly 29
  • UConn 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cal Poly 4.0
  • UConn 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cal Poly A/A+
  • UConn A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Cal Poly Very High
  • UConn Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Cal Poly High
  • UConn Low
  • SAT range
  • Cal Poly 1220-1410
  • UConn 1210-1440
  • ACT range
  • Cal Poly 26-32
  • UConn 28-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Cal Poly Test-free
  • UConn Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026
  • UConn Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cal Poly $13,596
  • UConn $21,044
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cal Poly $34,665
  • UConn $43,712
  • Room & board
  • Cal Poly $18,792
  • UConn $14,380
  • Average net price
  • Cal Poly $17,453
  • UConn $25,310
  • Average grant aid
  • Cal Poly $14,338
  • UConn $16,503
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cal Poly 48%
  • UConn 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cal Poly 75%
  • UConn 83%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cal Poly $69,400
  • UConn $62,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cal Poly 85%
  • UConn 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cal Poly $18,666
  • UConn $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Cal Poly $193
  • UConn $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cal Poly 19:1
  • UConn 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cal Poly
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Agriculture (15%)
    • Architecture (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • UConn
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA
  • UConn Storrs, CT
  • Setting
  • Cal Poly Small Suburban
  • UConn Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Cal Poly 23,069
  • UConn 28,306
  • Type
  • Cal Poly Public 4 Year
  • UConn Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cal Poly #151
  • UConn #106

Comparable Facts

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

University of Connecticut is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (28,306 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); University of Connecticut is in Storrs, CT (Town Fringe setting).
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Connecticut is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of Connecticut 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Connecticut are 23.5% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($14,380 vs. $18,792).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at UConn than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $9,047 more per year; $43,712 vs. $34,665).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Connecticut than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (81% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Connecticut students is 15.1% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($16,503 vs. $14,338).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at UConn than at Cal Poly (30 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Cal Poly, test optional at UConn.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; UConn Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cal Poly average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.26 higher than at UConn (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 15.4% at UConn.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $2,834 lower median loan debt than UConn graduates ($18,666 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UConn graduates ($193 vs. $222).
  • More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UConn students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 78%).

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

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