Cal Poly vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (46,566 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 Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

Cal Poly vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or USC? 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 USC ($17,453 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 5.7% lower than at University of Southern California ($18,792 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 430.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $58,501 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108% higher at USC than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $37,432 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (70% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 227.1% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($46,897 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 180 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming USC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); USC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at USC (3.83).
• Cal Poly has a higher acceptance rate (31.3%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 43.3% at USC.

Cal Poly vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's (75%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than Cal Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $69,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $3,709 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($18,666 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($193 vs. $231).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 81%)

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.